Homopolymer and copolymer, and production process thereof

ABSTRACT

A homopolymer having a monomer unit such as an isopropylidene diallylmalonate unit; a process for producing said homopolymer comprising the step of homopolymerising a monomer such as isopropylidene diallylmalonate; a copolymer containing said monomer unit and an ethylene unit and/or α-olefin unit; and a process for producing said copolymer comprising the step of copolymerizing a monomer such as isopropylidene diallylmalonate with at least ethylene and/or an α-olefin.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heat resistant homopolymer orcopolymer having a polar group, and a process for producing saidhomopolymer or copolymer.

BACKGROUND ART

As a superior heat resistance-carrying polymer, JP 2002-363263A(corresponding to US 2004/152843A1) discloses a hydrogenated product ofa ring-opened metathesis polymer having hydroxyl groups orhydroxylcarbonyl groups, which polymer is produced by conducting aring-opening metathesis polymerization of a norbornene-type monomerhaving hydroxyl groups or hydroxylcarbonyl groups with an unsubstitutednorbornene-type monomer having at least three rings in the presence of acatalyst predominantly comprised of an organic ruthenium compound havingcoordinated therewith a neutral electron-donating ligand, andhydrogenating the resulting copolymer.

However, there are problems in that (1) the above-mentioned hydrogenatedproduct is insufficient in its heat resistance, (2) the above-mentionedproduction process of said hydrogenated product needs a further step ofhydrogenating the ring-opened metathesis polymer, and (3) theabove-mentioned production of said ring-opened metathesis polymer needsto use a polymerization catalyst predominantly comprised of an organicruthenium compound, in order to avoid poisoning of said polymerizationcatalyst caused by hydroxyl groups or hydroxylcarbonyl groups containedin a norbornene-type monomer.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In view of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional art, thepresent invention has an object to provide a heat resistant homopolymerhaving a polar group, and a process for producing said homopolymer,which does not need such a hydrogenation step as mentioned above, andhas an object to provide a heat resistant copolymer having a polargroup, and a process for producing said copolymer, which does not needsuch a hydrogenation step as mentioned above.

The present invention is a homopolymer having a repeating unitrepresented by the following formula (1):

wherein X¹, X², X³ and X⁴ are independently of one another an atombelonging to group 16 of the periodic table; R¹ and R² are independentlyof each other a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, and R¹ and R² may be linked with each other; and A¹, A²,A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are independently of one another ahydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an arylgroup, a substituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxygroup, an aryloxy group, a disubstituent-having amino group, or ahydrocarbylthio group.

Also, the present invention is a process for producing a homopolymerhaving a repeating unit represented by the above-mentioned formula (1),which comprises the step of homopolymerizing a compound represented bythe following formula (3):

wherein all the symbols contained in the formula (3) are the same asthose contained in the formula (1).

Further, the present invention is a copolymer containing a unitrepresented by the above-mentioned formula (1) and an ethylene unitand/or α-olefin unit.

Still further, the present invention is a process for producing acopolymer containing a unit represented by the above-mentioned formula(1) and an ethylene unit and/or an α-olefin unit, which comprises thestep of copolymerizing at least a compound represented by theabove-mentioned formula (3) and ethylene and/or an α-olefin.

The above-mentioned homopolymer and copolymer are collectively referredto as “polymer” hereinafter, and the above-mentioned term “unit” means aunit of a homopolymerized or copolymerized monomer.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Examples of the above-mentioned X¹, X², X³ and X⁴ in those formulas arean oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and a selenium atom.

Examples of the above-mentioned hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20 carbonatoms of R¹ and R² are a linear alkyl group such as a methyl group, anethyl group, and a n-butyl group; a branched alkyl group such asisopropyl group, an isobutyl group, a tert-butyl group, and a neopentylgroup; and a cyclic alkyl group such as a cyclohexyl group and acyclooctyl group. R¹ and R² are preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, more preferably a non-substituent-having linear alkylgroup having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and further preferably a methylgroup, an ethyl group, or a n-butyl group.

When the above-mentioned R¹ and R² are linked with each other, examplesof a ring formed by said linkage are an aliphatic ring and an aromaticring. Those rings may have one or more substituents. Examples of adivalent group, which is formed by said linkage and is a part of analiphatic ring, are a methylene group, an isopropylidene group, a1,2-ethylene group, a 1,2-cyclohexylene group, a 1,3-cyclohexylenegroup, a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, a 1,2-norbornene group, a 2,3-butenegroup, a 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butene group, and a 2,4-pentene group. Amongthem, preferred is a methylene group, an isopropylidene group, a2,3-butene group, or a 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butene group. Examples of adivalent group, which is formed by said linkage and is a part of anaromatic ring, are a 1,2-phenylene group, a 1,3-phenylene group, a1,4-phenylene group, a 1,2-naphthylene group, a 1,3-naphthylene group, a1,4-naphthylene group, a 1,5-naphthylene group, a 1,6-naphthylene group,a 1,7-naphthylene group, a 1,8-naphthylene group, a 2,3-naphthylenegroup, a 2,4-naphthylene group, a 2,5-naphthylene group, a2,6-naphthylene group, a 2,7-naphthylene group, a 2,8-naphthylene group,a 2,2′-biphenylene group, a 1,2-dimethylenephenyl group, a1,3-dimethylenephenyl group, a 1,4-dimethylenephenyl group, a1,2-diethylenephenyl group, a 1,3-diethylenephenyl group, and a1,4-diethylenephenyl group.

Examples of the above-mentioned halogen atom of A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶,A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom,and an iodine atom. Among them, preferred is a fluorine atom.

Examples of the above-mentioned alkyl group of A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶,A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are a linear alkyl group such as a methyl group, anethyl group, and a n-butyl group; a branched alkyl group such asisopropyl group, an isobutyl group, a tert-butyl group, and a neopentylgroup; and a cyclic alkyl group such as a cyclohexyl group and acyclooctyl group.

Examples of the above-mentioned aralkyl group of A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶,A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are a benzyl group, a phenethyl group, a2-methylbenzyl group, a 3-methylbenzyl group, a 4-methylbenzyl group, a2,6-dimethylbenzyl group, and a 3,5-dimethylbenzyl group. Said aralkylgroup may have a substituent such as a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyloxygroup, a nitro group, a sulfonic group, a silyl group, and a cyanogroup.

Examples of the above-mentioned aryl group of A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶,A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are a phenyl group, a tolyl group, and a mesitylgroup. Said aryl group may have a substituent such as a halogen atom, ahydrocarbyloxy group, a nitro group, a sulfonic group, a silyl group,and a cyano group.

Examples of the above-mentioned substituent-having silyl group of A¹,A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are a trimethylsilyl group, adiethylmethylsilyl group, an ethyldimethylsilyl group, and atriethylsilyl group. Said substituent-having silyl group may have asubstituent such as a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyloxy group, a nitrogroup, a sulfonic group, a silyl group, and a cyano group.

Examples of the above-mentioned alkoxy group of A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶,A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are a linear alkoxy group such as a methoxy group, anethoxy group, and a n-butoxy group; a branched alkoxy group such as anisopropoxy group, an isobutoxy group, a tert-butoxy group, and aneopentoxy group; and a cyclic alkoxy group such as a cyclohexyloxygroup and a cyclooctyloxy group. Said alkoxy group may have asubstituent such as a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyloxy group, a nitrogroup, a sulfonic group, a silyl group, and a cyano group.

Examples of the above-mentioned aralkyloxy group of A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵,A⁶, A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are a benzyloxy group, a phenethyloxy group, a2-methylbenzyloxy group, a 3-methylbenzyloxy group, a 4-methylbenzyloxygroup, a 2,6-dimethylbenzyloxy group, and a 3,5-dimethylbenzyloxy group.Said aralkyloxy group may have a substituent such as a halogen atom, ahydrocarbyloxy group, a nitro group, a sulfonic group, a silyl group,and a cyano group.

Examples of the above-mentioned aryloxy group of A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵ A⁶,A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are a phenoxy group, a 2-methylphenoxy group, a2-ethylphenoxy group, a 2-n-propylphenoxy group, a 2-isopropylphenoxygroup, a 2-n-butylphenoxy group, a 2-isobutylphenoxy group, a2-tert-butylphenoxy group, a 3-methylphenoxy group, a 3-isopropylphenoxygroup, a 3-n-butylphenoxy group, a 3-tert-butylphenoxy group, a4-methylphenoxy group, a 4-isopropylphenoxy group, a 4-n-butylphenoxygroup, a 4-tert-butylphenoxy group, a 2,3-dimethylphenoxy group, a2,4-dimethylphenoxy group, a 2,5-dimethylphenoxy group, a2,6-dimethylphenoxy group, a 3,5-dimethylphenoxy group, a2,6-diisopropylphenoxy group, a 2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxy group, and anaphthoxy group. Said aryloxy group may have a substituent such as ahalogen atom, a hydrocarbyloxy group, a nitro group, a sulfonic group, asilyl group, and a cyano group.

Examples of the above-mentioned disubstituent-having amino group of A¹,A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ linear alkylamino group such asan N,N-dimethylamino group, an N,N-diethylamino group, and anN,N-di-n-butylamino group; a branched alkylamino group such as anN,N-diisopropylamino group, an N,N-diisobutylamino group, anN,N-di-tert-butylamino group, and an N,N-dineopentylamino group; and acyclic alkylamino group such as an N,N-dicyclohexylamino group and anN,N-dicyclooctylamino group.

Examples of the above-mentioned hydrocarbylthio group of A¹, A², A³, A⁴,A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are a linear alkylthio group such amethylthio group, an ethylthio group, and a n-butylthio group; abranched alkylthio group such as an isopropylthio group, an isobutylthiogroup, a tert-butylthio group, and a neopentylthio group; and a cyclicalkylthio group such as a cyclohexylthio group and a cyclooctylthiogroup.

Among them, A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are preferably ahydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbonatoms, more preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and furtherpreferably a hydrogen atom.

A⁵ and A⁶ and/or A⁷ and A⁸ may be linked with each other, respectively.Examples of a ring formed by said linkage are an aliphatic ring such asa cyclobutane ring, a cyclopentane ring and a cyclohexane ring; and anaromatic ring. These rings may have one or more substituents.

The above-mentioned repeating unit represented by the formula (1) is notparticularly limited in its configuration between the main chain of thepolymer and the five-membered ring having the substituents such as A⁵,A⁶, A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰. Its configuration is preferably a trans-form;namely, the five-membered ring has preferably a trans-form for the mainchain represented by the formula (2),

in order to produce a heat resistant polymer.

In the present invention, the above-mentioned configuration isdetermined with a ¹³C-NMR spectrum obtained by use of a solution of thepolymer in chloroform-d₁. A peak (i) appearing at 45 to 46 ppm in the¹³C-NMR spectrum is assigned to carbon atoms having a trans-formconfiguration, and a peak (ii) appearing at 39 to 42 ppm therein isassigned to carbon atoms having a cis-form configuration, provided thata peak assigned to chloroform-d₁ appears at 77 ppm.

Therefore, a proportion (%) of the above-mentioned trans-form is derivedform the following formula:

Proportion (%) of trans-form=area of peak (i)×100/[area of peak (i)+areaof peak (ii)].

Stereoregularity of the homopolymer of the present invention isdetermined by an absolute configuration of the two asymmetric carbonatoms, which are linked to A⁹ and A¹⁰, respectively, and exist in themain chain of the homopolymer having the repeating unit represented bythe formula (1). There are four kinds of homopolymers in view of saidstereoregularity, (a) an erythrodiisotactic homopolymer, (b) anerythrodisyndiotactic homopolymer, (c) a threodiisotactic homopolymer,and (d) a threodisyndiotactic homopolymer, as shown in the followingformulas:

(a) Erythrodiisotactic Homopolymer

(b) Erythrodisyndiotactic Homopolymer

(c) Threodiisotactic Homopolymer

(d) Threodisyndiotactic Homopolymer

wherein A, B and a curved line linking them with each other represent atotal cyclic structure from the carbon atom linking with A⁵ and A⁶ inthe repeating unit represented by the formula (1) to the carbon atomlinking with A⁷ and A⁸ therein; H represents a case wherein both A9 andA10 in the repeating unit represented by the formula (1) are a hydrogenatom; and the two carbon atoms linking with A¹ and A² and with A³ andA⁴, respectively, in the repeating unit represented by the formula (1)are abbreviated.

The above-mentioned four kinds of homopolymers are defined inEncyclopedia of polymer Science and Engineering 2nd Ed., John Wiley &Sons, New York, 1987, Vol. 10, pages 191-203.

Although stereoregularity of the homopolymer of the present invention isnot particularly limited, preferred is (i) a diisotactic homopolymerhaving more than 25% of an erythrodiisotactic triad or athreodiisotactic triad, or (ii) a disyndiotactic homopolymer having morethan 25% of an erythrodisyndiotactic triad or a threodisyndiotactictriad, in order to produce a homopolymer excellent in its heatresistance.

The above-mentioned diisotactic homopolymer is more preferably ahomopolymer having 30% or more of a diisotactic triad, and furtherpreferably a homopolymer having 50% or more thereof. The above-mentioneddisyndiotactic homopolymer is more preferably a homopolymer having 30%or more of a disyndiotactic triad, and further preferably a homopolymerhaving 50% or more thereof.

The above-mentioned stereoregularity is determined with a ¹³C-NMRspectrum obtained by use of a solution of the homopolymer of the presentinvention in chloroform-d₁. A peak (iii) appearing at 46.2 to 46.6 ppmin the ¹³C-NMR spectrum is assigned to carbon atoms derived from athreodiisotactic triad, and a peak (iv) appearing at 46.9 to 47.3 ppmtherein is assigned to carbon atoms derived from a threodisyndiotactictriad, provided that a peak assigned to chloroform-d₁ appears at 77 ppm.

Therefore, a proportion (%) of the above-mentioned threodiisotactictriad is derived form the following formula:

Proportion (%) of threodiisotactic triad=area of peak (iii)×100/[area ofpeak (iii)+area of peak (iv)]; and

a proportion (%) of the above-mentioned threodisyndiotactic triad isderived form the following formula:

Proportion (%) of threodisyndiotactic triad=area of peak (iv)×100/[areaof peak (iii)+area of peak (iv)].

Examples of the compound represented by the formula (3) arediallyldicarboxylic acid esters. Among them, particularly preferred isisopropylidene diallylmalonate, dimethyl diallylmalonate, diethyldiallylmalonate, diisopropyl diallylmalonate, or di-tert-butyldiallylmalonate, all of which are known in the art. Each of dipropyldiallylmalonate and dicyclohexyl diallylmalonate can be obtainedaccording to a method such as that shown in the below-mentioned Example.

The α-olefin in the present invention means a 1-alkene having acarbon-carbon double bond at its α-position. Examples of the α-olefinare a linear α-olefin such as propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene,1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene and 1-decene; and a branched α-olefin suchas 3-methyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene andvinylcyclohexane. Among them, preferred is an α-olefin having 3 to 20carbon atoms, further preferred is a linerar α-olefin having 3 to 10carbon atoms, and particularly preferred is propylene, 1-butene,1-pentene, 1-hexene or 1-octene.

The homopolymer of the present invention can be produced byhomopolymerizing the compound represented by the formula (3) in thepresence of a catalyst formed by contacting a transition metal compoundwith an organic aluminum compound and/or boron compound.

Also, the copolymer of the present invention can be produced bycopolymerizing at least the compound represented by the formula (3) withethylene and/or the above-mentioned α-olefin in the presence of saidcatalyst.

The transition metal compound is not particularly limited as long as ithas an activity for an addition polymerization, and may be a compoundknown in the art. Among them, preferred is a transition metal compoundhaving a transition metal belonging to groups 4 to 10 or lanthanideseries of the periodic table. Examples of the transition metal compoundare that represented by the following formula (4), and a 9-oxotransition metal compound, which is a dimmer obtained by reacting saidtransition metal compound with water:

L_(a)M¹X_(b)  (4)

wherein M¹ is a transition metal atom belonging to groups 4 to 10 orlanthanide series of the periodic table (IUPAC 1985); L is acyclopentadiene-containing anionic group or a hetero atom-having group,and when plural Ls exist, they may be linked with one another directlyor through a group having a carbon atom, a silicon atom, a nitrogenatom, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a phosphor atom; X is a halogenatom or a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; a is a numbersatisfying 0<a≦8; and b is a number satisfying 0<a≦8.

Examples of M¹ are a titanium atom, a zirconium atom, a hafnium atom, avanadium atom, a niobium atom, a tantalum atom, a chromium atom, an ironatom, a ruthenium atom, a cobalt atom, a rhodium atom, a nickel atom, apalladium atom, a samarium atom, and an ytterbium atom.

Examples of the above-mentioned cyclopentadiene-containing anionic groupof L are a cyclopentadienyl group, a substituent-having cyclopentadienylgroup, an indenyl group, a substituent-having indenyl group, a fluorenylgroup, and a substituent-having fluorenyl group.

Specific examples of the cyclopentadiene-containing anionic group are anη⁵-cyclopentadienyl group, an η⁵-methylcyclopentadienyl group, anη⁵-tert-butylcyclopentadienyl group, an η⁵-1,2-dimethylcyclopentadienylgroup, an η⁵-1,3-dimethylcyclopentadienyl group, anη⁵-1-tert-butyl-2-methylcyclopentadienyl group, anη⁵-1-tert-butyl-3-methylcyclopentadienyl group, anη⁵-1-methyl-2-isopropylcyclopentadienyl group, anη⁵-1-methyl-3-isopropylcyclopentadienyl group, anη⁵-1,2,3-trimethylcyclopentadienyl group, anη⁵-1,2,4-trimethylcyclopentadienyl group, anη⁵-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl group, an η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienylgroup, an η⁵-indenyl group, an η⁵-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl group, anη⁵-2-methylindenyl group, an η⁵-3-methylindenyl group, anη⁵-4-methylindenyl group, an η⁵-5-methylindenyl group, anη⁵-6-methylindenyl group, an η⁵-7-methylindenyl group, anη⁵-2-tert-butylindenyl group, an η⁵-3-tert-butylindenyl group, anη⁵-4-tert-butylindenyl group, an η⁵-5-tert-butylindenyl group, anη⁵-6-tert-butylindenyl group, an η⁵-7-tert-butylindenyl group, anη⁵-2,3-dimethylindenyl group, an η⁵-4,7-dimethylindenyl group, anη⁵-2,4,7-trimethylindenyl group, an η⁵-2-methyl-4-isopropylindenylgroup, an η⁵-4,5-benzindenyl group, an η⁵-2-methyl-4,5-benzindenylgroup, an η⁵-4-phenylindenyl group, an η⁵-2-methyl-5-phenylindenylgroup, an η⁵-2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl group, anη⁵-2-methyl-4-naphthylindenyl group, an η⁵-fluorenyl group, anη⁵-2,7-dimethylfluorenyl group, and an η⁵-2,7-di-tert-butylfluorenylgroup.

Examples of the hetero atom in the above-mentioned hetero atom-havinggroup of L are an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom, and aphosphorus atom. Examples of the hetero atom-having group are an alkoxygroup; an aryloxy group; a thioalkoxy group; a thioaryloxy group; analkylamino group; an arylamino group; an alkylphosphino group; anarylphosphino group; an aromatic or aliphatic heterocyclic groupcontaining in its ring at least one atom selected from the groupconsisting of an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom and aphosphorus atom; and a chelating ligand.

Examples of the hetero atom-having group are an alkoxy group such as amethoxy group, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group, and a butoxy group; anaryloxy group such as a phenoxy group, a 2-methylphenoxy group, a2,6-dimethylphenoxy group, a 2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy group, a2-ethylphenoxy group, a 4-n-propylphenoxy group, a 2-isopropylphenoxygroup, a 2,6-diisopropylphenoxy group, a 4-sec-butylphenoxy group, a4-tert-butylphenoxy group, a 2,6-di-sec-butylphenoxy group, a2-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxy group, and a 2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxygroup; a substituent-having aryloxy group such as a 4-methoxyphenoxygroup, a 2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy group, a 3,5-dimethoxyphenoxy group, a2-chlorophenoxy group, a 4-nitrosophenoxy group, a 4-nitrophenoxy group,a 2-aminophenoxy group, a 3-aminophenoxy group, a 4-aminothiophenoxygroup, a 2,3,6-trichlorophenoxy group, and a 2,4,6-trifluorophenoxygroup; a thioalkoxy group such as a thiomethoxy group; an alkylaminogroup such as a dimethylamino group, a diethylamino group, adipropylamino group, an isopropylamino group, and a tert-butylaminogroup; an arylamino group such as a diphenylamino group; a pyrrolylgroup; a phosphino group such as a dimethylphosphino group; and aaryldioxy group such as a 2-(2-oxy-1-propyl)phenoxy group, a catecholatogroup, a resorcinolate group, a 4-isopropylcatecholato group, a3-methoxycatecholato group, a 1,8-dihydroxynahpthyl group, a1,2-dihydroxynahpthyl group, a 2,2′-biphenyldiol group, a1,1′-bi-2-naphthol group, a 2,2′-dihydroxy-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl group,a 4,4′,6,6′-tetra-tert-butyl-2,2′-methylenediphenoxy group, and a4,4′,6,6′-tetramethyl-2,2′-isobutylidenediphenoxy group.

The chelating ligand mentioned above in the examples of the heteroatom-having group means a ligand having plural coordinating positions.Examples thereof are acetylacetonate, diimine, oxazoline, bisoxazoline,terpyridine, acylhydrazone, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine,porphyrin, crown ether and cryptate.

As mentioned above, when plural Ls exist, they may be linked (namely,plural cyclopentadiene-containing anionic groups are linked; pluralhetero atom-having groups are linked; or the cyclopentadiene-containinganionic group and the hetero atom-having group are linked) with oneanother directly or through a group having a carbon atom, a siliconatom, a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a phosphor atom.Examples of the group having a carbon atom, a silicon atom, a nitrogenatom, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a phosphor atom are an alkylenegroup such as an ethylene group and a propylene group; asubstituent-having alkylene group such as a dimethylmethylene group (anisopropylidene group) and a diphenylmethylene group; a silylene group; asubstituent having silylene group such as a dimethylsilylene group, adiphenylsilylene group, and a tetramethyldisilylene group; and ahetero-atom such as a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and aphosphorus atom.

Examples of the halogen atom of X in the formula (4) are a fluorineatom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom and an iodine atom, and examplesof the hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms of X therein are amethyl group, an ethyl group, a n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, an-butyl group, a phenyl group, and a benzyl group.

Each number of “a” and “b” in the formula (4) is determined such thatthe charge of the transition metal compound represented by the formula(4) is neutral, taking account of each valence of M¹, L and X.

Examples of the transition metal compound represented by the formula(4), wherein M¹ is a titanium atom, are bis(cyclopentadienyl)titaniumdichloride, bis(methylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,bis(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,bis(dimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,bis(ethylmethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,bis(trimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,bis(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,bis(indenyl)titanium dichloride, bis(4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl)titaniumdichloride, bis(fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,cyclopentadienyl(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,cyclopentadienyl(indenyl)titanium dichloride,cyclopentadienyl(fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,indenyl(fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,pentamethylcyclopentadienyl(indenyl)titanium dichloride,pentamethylcyclopentadienyl(fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2-methylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(3-methylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2-n-butylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(3-n-butylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2,3-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2,4-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(3,4-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2,3-ethylmethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2,4-ethylmethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2,5-ethylmethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(3,5-ethylmethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2,3,4-trimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2,3,5-trimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(indenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2-phenylindenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2-methylindenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2-methyl-4-naphthylindenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(2-methyl-4,5-benzoindenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylenebis(fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)titaniumdichloride, ethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(indenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylene(methylcyclopentadienyl) (indenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(indenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl) (indenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylene(methylcyclopentadienyl) (fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylene (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl) (fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylene (tetramethylpentadienyl)(fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,ethylene(indenyl)(fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2-methylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(3-methylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2-n-butylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(3-n-butylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2,3-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2,4-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl) titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(3,4-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2,3-ethylmethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2,4-ethylmethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2,5-ethylmethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(3,5-ethylmethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2,3,4-trimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2,3,5-trimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(indenyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2-phenylindenyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2-methylindenyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2-methyl-4-naphthylindenyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(2-methyl-4,5-benzoindenyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidenebis(fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl) (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)titaniumdichloride, isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(indenyl)titaniumdichloride, isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(indenyl)titaniumdichloride, isopropylidene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(indenyl)titaniumdichloride, isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(indenyl)titaniumdichloride, isopropylidene (cyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)titaniumdichloride, isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)titaniumdichloride, isopropylidene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)titaniumdichloride, isopropylidene (indenyl)(fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2-methylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(3-methylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2-n-butylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(3-n-butylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2,3-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2,4-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(3,4-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2,3-ethylmethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2,4-ethylmethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2,5-ethylmethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(3,5-ethylmethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2,3,4-trimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2,3,5-trimethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(indenyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2-phenylindenyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2-methylindenyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2-methyl-4-naphthylindenyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylenebis(2-methyl-4,5-benzoindenyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(indenyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(indenyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(indenyl)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(indenyl)titaniumdichloride, dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)titaniumdichloride, dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)titaniumdichloride, dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(indenyl)titaniumdichloride, dimethylsilylene(indenyl)(fluorenyl)titanium dichloride,cyclopentadienylitanium trichloride, pentamethylcyclopentadienyltitaniumtrichloride, cyclopentadienyl(dimethylamido)titanium dichloride,cyclopentadienyl(phenoxy)titanium dichloride,cyclopentadienyl(2,6-dimethylphenyl)titanium dichloride,cyclopentadienyl(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)titanium dichloride,cyclopentadienyl(2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)titanium dichloride,pentamethylcyclopentadienyl(2,6-dimethylphenyl)titanium dichloride,pentamethylcyclopentadienyl(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)titanium dichloride,pentamethylcyclopentadienyl(2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)titanium dichloride,indenyl(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)titanium dichloride, fluorenyl(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)titanium dichloride,methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride,methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride,methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetr-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetr-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetr-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetr-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetr-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetr-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetr-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetr-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, methylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride,methylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, methylene(fluorenyl) (3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, methylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, methylene(fluorenyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride,methylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(fluorenyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,methylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, isopropylidene(fluorenyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, isopropylidene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, isopropylidene(fluorenyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(fluorenyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,isopropylidene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, diphenylmethylene(fluorenyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, diphenylmethylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, diphenylmethylene(fluorenyl)(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(fluorenyl)(3-trimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,diphenylmethylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(5-methyl-3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(5-methyl-3-trimethylsilyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,5-diamyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(5-methyl-3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(5-methyl-3-trimethylsilyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-diamyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(5-methyl-3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(5-methyl-3-trimethylsilyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-diamyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(5-methyl-3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(5-methyl-3-trimethylsilyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-diamyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(5-methyl-3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(5-methyl-3-trimethylsilyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-diamyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(5-methyl-3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, dimethylsilylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(5-methyl-3-trimethylsilyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)(3,5-diamyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, dimethylsilylene(indenyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylene(indenyl)(3-methyl-2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylene(indenyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylene(indenyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylene(indenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(indenyl)(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(indenyl)(5-methyl-3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(indenyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(indenyl)(5-methyl-3-trimethylsilyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(indenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(indenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, dimethylsilylene(indenyl)(3,5-diamyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, dimethylsilylene(fluorenyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylene(fluorenyl)(3-methyl-2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylene(fluorenyl)(3,5-dimethyl-2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride,dimethylsilylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(fluorenyl)(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(fluorenyl)(5-methyl-3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(fluorenyl)(5-methyl-3-trimethylsilyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride,dimethylsilylene(fluorenyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, dimethylsilylene(fluorenyl)(3,5-diamyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumdichloride, anddimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-naphthoxy-2-yl)titaniumdichloride; compounds obtained by replacing the term “(2-phenoxy)” ofthose compounds with the term “(3-phenyl-2-phenoxy)”,“(3-trimethylsilyl-2-phenoxy)” or“(3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-2-phenoxy)”; compounds obtained by replacingthe term “dimethylsilylene” of those compounds with the term“diethylsilylene”, “diphenylsilylene” or “dimethoxysilylene”; andcompounds obtained by replacing the term “dichloride” of those compoundswith the term “difluoride”, “dibromide”, “diiodide” “dimethyl”,“diethyl”, “diisopropyl”, “bis(dimethylamido)”, “bis(diethylamido)”,“dimethoxide”, “diethoxide”, “di-n-butoxide” or “diisopropoxide”.

Further examples of the transition metal compound represented by theformula (4), wherein M¹ is a titanium atom, are(tert-butylamido)tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-1,2-ethanediyltitaniumdichloride,(tert-butylamido)tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-1,2-ethanediyltitaniumdimethyl,(tert-butylamido)tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-1,2-ethanediyltitaniumdibenzyl,(methylamido)tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-1,2-ethanediyltitaniumdichloride,(ethylamido)tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-1,2-ethanediyltitaniumdichloride, (tert-butylamido)tetramethylcyclopentadienyldimethylsilanetitanium dichloride,(tert-butylamido)tetramethylcyclopentadienyl dimethylsilanetitaniumdimethyl, (tert-butylamido)tetramethylcyclopentadienyldimethylsilanetitanium dibenzyl,(benzylamido)tetramethylcyclopentadienyl dimethylsilanetitaniumdichloride, (phenylphosphido)tetramethylcyclopentadienyldimethylsilanetitanium dibenzyl,(tert-butylamido)indenyl-1,2-ethanediyltitanium dichloride,(tert-butylamido)indenyl-1,2-ethanediyltitanium dimethyl,(tert-butylamido)tetrahydroindenyl-1,2-ethanediyl titanium dichloride,(tert-butylamido)tetrahydroindenyl-1,2-ethanediyl titanium dimethyl,(tert-butylamido)fluorenyl-1,2-ethanedlyltitanium dichloride,(tert-butylamido)fluorenyl-1,2-ethanediyltitanium dimethyl,(tert-butylamido)indenyldimethylsilanetitanium dichloride,(tert-butylamido)indenyldimethylsilanetitanium dimethyl,(tert-butylamido)tetrahydroindenyldimethylsilane titanium dichloride,(tert-butylamido)tetrahydroindenyldimethylsilane titanium dimethyl,(tert-butylamido)fluorenyldimethylsilanetitanium dichloride,(tert-butylamido)fluorenyldimethylsilanetitanium dimethyl,(dimethylaminomethyl)tetramethylcyclopentadienyl titanium(III)dichloride, (dimethylaminoethyl)tetramethylcyclopentadienyltitanium(III) dichloride,(dimethylaminopropyl)tetramethylcyclopentadienyl titanium(III)dichloride, (N-pyrrolidinylethyl)tetramethylcyclopentadienyl titaniumdichloride, (B-dimethylaminoborabenzene)cyclopentadienylzirconiumdichloride, cyclopentadienyl(9-mesitylboraanthracenyl)zirconiumdichloride, 2,2′-thiobis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenoxy)titaniumdichloride, 2,2′-thiobis[4-methyl-6-(1-methylethyl)phenoxy]titaniumdichloride, 2,2′-thiobis[4,6-dimethylphenoxy]titanium dichloride,2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenoxy)titanium dichloride,2,2′-ethylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenoxy)titanium dichloride,2,2′-sulfinylbis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenoxy)titanium dichloride,2,2′-(4,4′,6,6′-tetra-tert-butyl-1,1′-biphenoxy)titanium dichloride,2,2′-thiobis[4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenoxy]titanium diisopropoxide,2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenoxy)titanium diisopropoxide,2,2′-ethylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenoxy)titanium diisopropoxide,2,2′-sulfinylbis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenoxy)titanium diisopropoxide,(di-tert-butyl-1,3-propanediamido)titanium dichloride,(dicyclohexyl-1,3-propanediamido)titanium dichloride,[bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,3-propanediamido]titanium dichloride,[bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-1,3-propanediamido]titanium dichloride,[bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-1,3-propanediamido]titanium dichloride,[bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,3-propanediamido]titanium dichloride,[bis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3-propanediamido]titanium dichloride,[bis(triisopropylsilyl)naphthalenediamido]titanium dichloride,[bis(trimethylsilyl)naphthalenediamido]titanium dichloride,[bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)naphthalenediamido]titanium dichloride,[bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)naphthalenediamido]titanium dibromide,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]titanium trichloride,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]titanium tribromide,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]titanium triiodide,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]titanium trichloride,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]titanium tribromide,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]titanium triiodide,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]titanium trichloride,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]titanium tribromide,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]titanium triiodide,[tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methyl]titanium trichloride,[tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methyl]titanium tribromide,[tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methyl]titanium triiodide,[tris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)methyl]titanium trichloride,[tris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)methyl]titanium tribromide,[tris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)methyl]titanium triiodide,[tris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)methyl]titanium trichloride,[tris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)methyl]titanium tribromide,[tris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)methyl]titanium triiodide,μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium chloride],μ-oxobis[isopropylidene (cyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titaniummethoxide],μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumchloride], μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniummethoxide], μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium chloride],μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titaniummethoxide], μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumchloride], μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniummethoxide], μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium chloride],μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titaniummethoxide], μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumchloride], μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniummethoxide], μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium chloride],μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titaniummethoxide], μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titanium chloride],μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniummethoxide],μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titaniumchloride], IL-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium methoxide],μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumchloride],μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniummethoxide],μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titaniumchloride], μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium methoxide],μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniumchloride],μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titaniummethoxide],di-μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium],di-μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titanium],di-μ-oxobis [isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium],di-μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titanium],di-μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium],di-μ-oxobis[isopropylidene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titanium],di-μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene (cyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium],di-g-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titanium],di-μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium], di-μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(methylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titanium],di-μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(2-phenoxy)titanium], anddi-μ-oxobis[dimethylsilylene(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titanium].

Examples of the transition metal compound represented by the formula(4), wherein M¹ is a zirconium atom or a hafnium atom, are compoundsobtained by replacing the term “titanium” of the above-exemplifiedtitanium compounds with the term “zirconium” or “hafnium”.

Examples of the transition metal compound represented by the formula(4), wherein M¹ is a vanadium atom, are vanadium acetylacetonate,vanadium tetrachloride and vanadium oxy trichloride.

An example of the transition metal compound represented by the formula(4), wherein M¹ is a samarium atom, isbis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)samarium methyltetrahydrofuran.

An example of the transition metal compound represented by the formula(4), wherein M¹ is an ytterbium atom, isbis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)ytterbium methyltetrahydrofuran.

Examples of the transition metal compound represented by the formula(4), wherein M¹ is a palladium atom, are2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-dimethyloxazoline]palladiumdichloride,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-dimethyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide, 2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-diethyloxazoline]palladium dichloride,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-diethyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-di-n-propyloxazoline]palladiumdichloride,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-di-n-propyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-diisopropyloxazoline]palladiumdichloride,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-diisopropyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-dicyclohexyloxazoline]palladiumdichloride,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-dicyclohexyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-dimethoxyoxazoline]palladiumdichloride, 2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-dimethoxyoxazoline]palladium dibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-diethoxyoxazoline]palladiumdichloride,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-diethoxyoxazoline]palladiumdibromide, 2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-diphenyloxazoline]palladium dichloride,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-diphenyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,methylenebis[(4R)-4-methyl-5,5′-di-(2-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,methylenebis[(4R)-4-methyl-5,5′-di-(3-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,methylenebis[(4R)-4-methyl-5,5′-di-(4-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,methylenebis[(4R)-4-methyl-5,5′-di-(2-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,methylenebis[(4R)-4-methyl-5,5′-di-(3-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,methylenebis[(4R)-4-methyl-5,5′-di-(4-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-methyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclobutane}]palladiumdibromide,methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-methyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclopentane}]palladiumdibromide,methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-methyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclohexane}]palladiumdibromide,methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-methyloxazoline-5,1′-cycloheptane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isopropyl-5,5′-dimethyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isopropyl-5,5′-diethyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isopropyl-5,5′-di-n-propyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,methylenebis[(4R)-4-isopropyl-5,5′-diisopropyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isopropyl-5,5′-dicyclohexyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isopropyl-5,5′-diphenyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isopropyl-5,5′-di-(2-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isopropyl-5,5′-di-(3-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isopropyl-5,5′-di-(4-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isopropyl-5,5′-di-(2-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isopropyl-5,5′-di-(3-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isopropyl-5,5′-di-(4-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-isopropyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclobutane}]palladiumdibromide,2,21-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-isopropyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclopentane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-isopropyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclohexane}]palladiumdibromide, 2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-isopropyloxazoline-5,1′-cycloheptane}]palladium dibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isobutyl-5,5′-dimethyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isobutyl-5,5′-diethyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isobutyl-5,5′-di-n-propyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isobutyl-5,5′-diisopropyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isobutyl-5,5′-dicyclohexyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isobutyl-5,5′-diphenyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isobutyl-5,5′-di-(2-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isobutyl-5,5′-di-(3-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isobutyl-5,5′-di-(4-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isobutyl-5,5′-di-(2-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isobutyl-5,5′-di-(3-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-isobutyl-5,5′-di-(4-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-isobutyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclobutane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-isobutyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclopentane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-isobutyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclohexane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-isobutyloxazoline-5,1′-cycloheptane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-tert-butyl-5,5′-dimethyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-tert-butyl-5,5′-diethyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-tert-butyl-5,5′-di-n-propyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-tert-butyl-5,5′-diisopropyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-tert-butyl-5,5′-diphenyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-tert-butyl-5,5′-dicyclohexyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-tert-butyl-5,5′-di-(2-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-tert-butyl-5,5′-di-(3-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-tert-butyl-5,5′-di-(4-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-tert-butyl-5,5′-di-(2-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-tert-butyl-5,5′-di-(3-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-tert-butyl-5,5′-di-(4-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-tert-butyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclobutane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-tert-butyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclopentane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-tert-butyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclohexane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-tert-butyloxazoline-5,1′-cycloheptane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-dimethyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-diethyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-di-n-propyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-diisopropyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-dicyclohexyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-diphenyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-di-(2-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-di-(3-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-di-(4-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-di-(2-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-di-(3-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-phenyl-5,5′-di-(4-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-phenyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclobutane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-phenyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclopentane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-phenyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclohexane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-phenyloxazoline-5,1′-cycloheptane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-benzyl-5,5′-dimethyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-benzyl-5,5′-diethyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-benzyl-5,5′-di-n-propyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-benzyl-5,5′-diisopropyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-benzyl-5,5′-dicyclohexyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-benzyl-5,5′-diphenyloxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-benzyl-5,5′-di-(2-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-benzyl-5,5′-di-(3-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-benzyl-5,5′-di-(4-methylphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-benzyl-5,5′-di-(2-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-benzyl-5,5′-di-(3-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[(4R)-4-benzyl-5,5′-di-(4-methoxyphenyl)oxazoline]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-benzyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclobutane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-benzyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclopentane}]palladiumdibromide,2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-benzyloxazoline-5,1′-cyclohexane}]palladiumdibromide, and2,2′-methylenebis[spiro{(4R)-4-benzyloxazoline-5,1′-cycloheptane}]palladiumdibromide; compounds obtained by replacing the term “(4R)” of theabove-exemplified compounds with the term “(4S)”; and antipodes anddiasteromers of the above-exemplified compounds.

Further examples of the transition metal compound represented by theformula (4), wherein M¹ is a palladium atom, are[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium chloride,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium bromide,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium iodide,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium methyl,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium ethyl,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium allyl,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium methallyl,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium chloride,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium bromide,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium iodide,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium methyl,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium ethyl,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium allyl,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium methallyl,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium chloride,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium bromide,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium iodide,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium methyl,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium ethyl,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium allyl,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]palladium methallyl,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(aniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-methylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-ethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-n-propylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-isopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-isobutylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-n-hexylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(4-methylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-dimethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-diethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-di-n-propylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-diisopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-di-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-diisobutylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-di-n-hexylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-methyl-6-ethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-methyl-6-n-propylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-methyl-6-isopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-methyl-6-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-ethyl-6-n-propylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-ethyl-6-isopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-ethyl-6-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-n-propyl-6-isopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-n-propyl-6-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-isopropyl-6-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,4,6-trimethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-ethylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-n-propylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-isopropylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-diethylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-di-n-propylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-6-ethylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-6-n-propylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-6-isopropylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-ethyl-6-n-propylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-ethyl-6-isopropylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(1-naphthyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(aniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-methylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-ethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-n-propylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-isopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-isobutylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-n-hexylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(4-methylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2,6-dimethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2,6-diethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2,6-di-n-propylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2,6-diisopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2,6-di-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2,6-diisobutylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2,6-di-n-hexylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-methyl-6-ethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-methyl-6-n-propylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-methyl-6-isopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-methyl-6-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-ethyl-6-n-propylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-ethyl-6-isopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-ethyl-6-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-n-propyl-6-isopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-n-propyl-6-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2-isopropyl-6-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2,4,6-trimethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-ethylphenyl)aniline-κN})]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-n-propylphenyl)aniline-κN})]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-isopropylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-diethylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-di-n-propylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-6-ethylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-6-n-propylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-6-isopropylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-ethyl-6-n-propylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-ethyl-6-isopropylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(1-naphthyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(aniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-methylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-ethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-n-propylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-isopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-isobutylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-n-hexylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(4-methylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-dimethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-diethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-di-n-propylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-diisopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-di-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-diisobutylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-di-n-hexylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-methyl-6-ethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-methyl-6-n-propylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-methyl-6-isopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-methyl-6-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-ethyl-6-n-propylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-ethyl-6-isopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-ethyl-6-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-n-propyl-6-isopropylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-n-propyl-6-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-isopropyl-6-n-butylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,4,6-trimethylaniline-κN)]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-ethylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-n-propylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-isopropylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-diethylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-di-n-propylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-6-ethylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-6-n-propylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-6-isopropylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-ethyl-6-n-propylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-ethyl-6-isopropylphenyl)aniline-κN}]palladium,andchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis{2,4-dimethyl-6-(1-naphthyl)aniline-κN}]palladium.

Examples of the transition metal compound represented by the formula(4), wherein M¹ is a nickel atom, a cobalt atom, a rhodium atom or aruthenium atom, are compounds obtained by replacing the term “palladium”of the above-exemplified palladium compounds with the term “nickel”,“cobalt”, “rhodium” or “ruthenium”.

Examples of the transition metal compound represented by the formula(4), wherein M is an iron atom, are2,6-bis-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)ethyl]pyridineiron dichloride,2,6-bis-[1-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)ethyl]pyridineiron dichloride,2,6-bis-[1-(2-tert-butylphenylimino)ethyl]pyridineiron dichloride,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron chloride,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron bromide,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron iodide,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron methyl,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron ethyl,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron allyl,[hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron methallyl,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron chloride,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron bromide,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron iodide,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron methyl,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron ethyl,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron allyl,[hydrotris(3,5-diethylpyrazolyl)borate]iron methallyl,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]iron chloride,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]iron bromide,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]iron iodide,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]iron methyl,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]iron ethyl,[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]iron allyl, and[hydrotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate]iron methallyl.

Examples of the transition metal compound represented by the formula(4), wherein M¹ is a cobalt atom or a nickel atom, are compoundsobtained by replacing the term “iron” of the above-exemplified ironcompounds with the term “cobalt” or “nickel”.

The above-mentioned transition metal compounds may be used incombination of two or more thereof.

The transition metal compound is preferably a compound represented bythe following formula [I]:

wherein M is a transition metal atom belonging to group 10 of theperiodic table; R³ and R⁴ are independently of each other a hydrogenatom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, asubstituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxy group oran aryloxy group; R⁵ and R⁶ are independently of each other ahydrocarbyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; and R⁷ and R³ areindependently of each other a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl grouphaving 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and R⁷ and R⁸ may be linked with eachother.

Examples of the hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms of R⁷ andR⁸ are an alkyl group and an aryl group. Those groups may have asubstituent such as a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyloxy group, a nitrogroup, a sulfonyl group, and a silyl group. Examples of the alkyl groupare a linear alkyl group such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, and an-butyl group; a branched alkyl group such as an isopropyl group, anisobutyl group, a tert-butyl group, and a neopentyl group; and a cyclicalkyl group such as a cyclohexyl group and a cyclooctyl group. Amongthem, preferred is an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, morepreferred is a linear alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, andfurther preferred is a methyl group or an ethyl group. Examples of thearyl group are a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, a 4-tolyl group, and amesityl group. Among them, preferred is an aryl group having 6 to 20carbon atoms, more preferred is an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbonatoms, and further preferred is a phenyl group or a mesityl group.

When R⁷ and R⁸ in the formula [I] are linked with each other, examplesof a ring formed by said linkage are an aliphatic ring and an aromaticring. Those rings may have a substituent. Examples of a divalent groupformed by a linkage between R⁷ and R⁸ in an aliphatic ring are a1,2-ethylene group, a 1,2-cyclohexylene group, a 1,2-norbornene group, a2,3-butene group, a 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butene group, and a 2,4-pentenegroup. Examples of a divalent group formed by a linkage between R⁷ andR⁸ in an aromatic ring are a 1,2-phenylene group and an acenaphthylenegroup. Among them, preferred is an acenaphthylene group.

Examples of the hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms of R⁵ andR⁶ in the formula [I] are an alkyl group, an aralkyl group and an arylgroup. Those groups may have a substituent such as a halogen atom, ahydrocarbyloxy group, a nitro group, a sulfonyl group, and a silylgroup.

Examples of the above-mentioned alkyl group of R⁵ and R⁶ are a linearalkyl group such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, and a n-butyl group;a branched alkyl group such as an isopropyl group, an isobutyl group, atert-butyl group, and a neopentyl group; and a cyclic alkyl group suchas a cyclohexyl group and a cyclooctyl group. Among them, preferred isan alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferred is a branchedalkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and further preferred is anisopropyl group or a tert-butyl group.

Examples of the above-mentioned aralkyl group of R⁵ and R⁶ are a benzylgroup and a phenethyl group. Among them, preferred is an aralkyl grouphaving 7 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferred is an aralkyl group having 7to 12 carbon atoms, and further preferred is a benzyl group.

Examples of the above-mentioned aryl group of R⁵ and R⁶ are a phenylgroup, a 2-methylphenyl group, a 2-ethylphenyl group, a 2-n-propylphenylgroup, a 2-isopropylphenyl group, a 2-n-butylphenyl group, a2-isobutylphenyl group, a 2-n-hexylphenyl group, a 4-methylphenyl group,a 2,6-dimethylphenyl group, a 2,6-diethylphenyl group, a2,6-di-n-propylphenyl group, a 2,6-diisopropylphenyl group, a2,6-di-n-butylphenyl group, a 2,6-diisobutylphenyl group, a2,6-di-n-hexylphenyl group, a 2-methyl-6-ethylphenyl group, a2-methyl-6-n-propylphenyl group, a 2-methyl-6-isopropylphenyl group, a2-methyl-6-butylphenyl group, a 2-ethyl-6-n-propylphenyl group, a2-ethyl-6-isopropylphenyl group, a 2-ethyl-6-n-butylphenyl group, a2-n-propyl-6-isopropylphenyl group, a 2-n-propyl-6-n-butylphenyl group,a 2-isopropyl-6-n-butylphenyl group, a 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methylphenyl)phenyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-ethylphenyl)phenyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-n-propylphenyl)phenyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-isopropylphenyl)phenyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)phenyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-diethylphenyl)phenyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-di-n-propylphenyl)phenyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-6-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)phenyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-6-ethylphenyl)phenyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-6-n-propylphenyl)phenyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-6-isopropylphenyl)phenyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-ethyl-6-n-propylphenyl)phenyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-ethyl-6-isopropylphenyl)phenyl group, and a2,4-dimethyl-6-(1-naphthyl)phenyl group. Among them, preferred is anaryl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, and more preferred is an arylgroup having 7 to 30 carbon atoms.

Examples of the halogen atom of R³ and R⁴ in the formula [I]are afluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom.Among them, preferred is a chlorine atom or a bromine atom.

Examples of the above-mentioned alkyl group of R³ and R⁴ are a linearalkyl group such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, and a n-butyl group;a branched alkyl group such as an isopropyl group, an isobutyl group, atert-butyl group, and a neopentyl group; and a cyclic alkyl group suchas a cyclohexyl group and a cyclooctyl group. Among them, preferred isan alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferred is a linearalkyl group having no substituent and having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, andfurther preferred is a methyl group.

Examples of the above-mentioned aralkyl group of R³ and R⁴ are a benzylgroup and a phenethyl group. Among them, preferred is an aralkyl grouphaving 7 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferred is an aralkyl group having 7to 12 carbon atoms, and further preferred is a benzyl group.

Examples of the above-mentioned aryl group of R³ and R⁴ are a phenylgroup, a naphthyl group, a 4-tolyl group, a mesityl group, and a4-phenylphenyl group. Among them, preferred is an aryl group having 6 to20 carbon atoms, more preferred is an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbonatoms, and further preferred is a phenyl group, a 4-tolyl group or amesityl group.

Examples of the above-mentioned substituent-having silyl group of R³ andR⁴ are a monosubstituent-having silyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atomssuch as a methylsilyl group, an ethylsilyl group, and a phenylsilylgroup; a disubstituent-having silyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atomssuch as a dimethylsilyl group, a diethylsilyl group, and a diphenylsilylgroup; a trimethylsilyl group; a triethylsilyl group; atri-n-propylsilyl group; a triisopropylsilyl group; a tri-n-butylsilylgroup; a tri-sec-butylsilyl group; a tri-tert-butylsilyl group; atriisobutylsilyl group; a tert-butylsilyl group; a tri-n-pentylsilylgroup; a tri-n-hexylsilyl group; a tricyclohexylsilyl group; and atriphenylsilyl group. Among them, preferred is a trisubstituent-havingsilyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, and more preferred is atrimethylsilyl group, a tert-butyldimethylsilyl group or atriphenylsilyl group.

Examples of the above-mentioned alkoxy group of R³ and R⁴ are a methoxygroup, an ethoxy group, a n-propoxy group, an isopropoxy group, an-butoxy group, a sec-butoxy group, a tert-butoxy group, a n-pentyloxygroup, a neopentyloxy group, a n-hexyloxy group, a n-octyloxy group, an-dodecyloxy group, a n-pentadecyloxy group, and a n-eicosyl oxy group.Among them, preferred is an alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,and more preferred is a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, an isopropoxygroup, or a tert-butoxy group.

Examples of the above-mentioned aralkyloxy group of R³ and R⁴ are abenzyloxy group, a (2-methylphenyl)methoxy group, a(3-methylphenyl)methoxy group, a (4-methylphenyl)methoxy group, a(2,3-dimethylphenyl)methoxy group, a (2,4-dimethylphenyl)methoxy group,a (2,5-dimethylphenyl)methoxy group, a (2,6-dimethylphenyl)methoxygroup, a (3,4-dimethylphenyl)methoxy group, a(3,5-dimethylphenyl)methoxy group, a (2,3,4-trimethylphenyl)methoxygroup, a (2,3,5-trimethylphenyl)methoxy group, a(2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)methoxy group, a (2,4,5-trimethylphenyl)methoxygroup, a (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)methoxy group, a(3,4,5-trimethylphenyl)methoxy group, a(2,3,4,5-tetramethylphenyl)methoxy group, a(2,3,4,6-tetramethylphenyl)methoxy group, a(2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenyl)methoxy group, a (pentamethylphenyl)methoxygroup, an (ethylphenyl)methoxy group, a (n-propylphenyl)methoxy group,an (isopropylphenyl)methoxy group, a (n-butylphenyl)methoxy group, a(sec-butylphenyl)methoxy group, a (tert-butylphenyl)methoxy group, a(n-hexylphenyl)methoxy group, a (n-octylphenyl)methoxy group, a(n-decylphenyl)methoxy group, a naphthylmethoxy group, and ananthrathenylmethoxy group. Among them, preferred is an aralkyloxy grouphaving 7 to 20 carbon atoms, and more preferred is a benzyloxy group.

Examples of the above-mentioned aryloxy group of R³ and R⁴ are a phenoxygroup, a 2-methylphenoxy group, a 3-methylphenoxy group, a4-methylphenoxy group, a 2,3-dimethylphenoxy group, a2,4-dimethylphenoxy group, a 2,5-dimethylphenoxy group, a2,6-dimethylphenoxy group, a 3,4-dimethylphenoxy group, a3,5-dimethylphenoxy group, a 2-tert-butyl-3-methylphenoxy group, a2-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxy group, a 2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenoxygroup, a 2-tert-butyl-6-methylphenoxy group, a 2,3,4-trimethylphenoxygroup, a 2,3,5-trimethylphenoxy group, a 2,3,6-trimethylphenoxy group, a2,4,5-trimethylphenoxy group, a 2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy group, a2-tert-butyl-3,4-dimethylphenoxy group, a2-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethylphenoxy group, a2-tert-butyl-3,4-dimethylphenoxy group, a2-tert-butyl-3,6-dimethylphenoxy group, a2,6-di-tert-butyl-3-methylphenoxy group, a2-tert-butyl-4,5-dimethylphenoxy group, a2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxy group, a 3,4,5-trimethylphenoxy group,a 2,3,4,5-tetramethylphenoxy group, a2-tert-butyl-3,4,5-trimethylphenoxy group, a 2,3,4,6-tetramethylphenoxygroup, a 2-tert-butyl-3,4,6-trimethylphenoxy group, a2,6-di-tert-butyl-3,4-dimethylphenoxy group, a2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenoxy group, a 2-tert-butyl-3,5,6-trimethylphenoxygroup, a 2,6-di-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethylphenoxy group, apentamethylphenoxy group, an ethylphenoxy group, a n-propylphenoxygroup, an isopropylphenoxy group, a n-butylphenoxy group, asec-butylphenoxy group, a tert-butylphenoxy group, a n-hexylphenoxygroup, a n-octylphenoxy group, a n-decylphenoxy group, a naphthoxygroup, and an anthrathenoxy group. Among them, preferred is an aryloxygroup having 6 to 20 carbon atoms.

R³ and R⁴ in the formula [I] are preferably a hydrogen atom, a halogenatom, an alkyl group or an aryl group, more preferably a hydrogen atom,a halogen atom or a linear alkyl group having no substituent and having1 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferred is a chlorine atom or amethyl group.

M in the formula [I] is preferably a nickel atom or a palladium atom,and further preferably a palladium atom.

The transition metal compound used in the present invention ispreferably a compound represented by the following formula [II], whichbelongs to the compound represented by the above-mentioned formula [I],in order to produce a diisotactic triad homopolymer having a diisotactictriad of more than 25%, and is preferably a compound represented by thefollowing formula [III], which belongs to the compound represented bythe above-mentioned formula [I], in order to produce a disyndiotactictriad homopolymer having a disyndiotactic triad of more than 25%:

wherein each of M, R³, R⁴, R⁷ and R⁸ has the same definition as that inthe above-mentioned formula [I]; R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently of eachother a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group,a substituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxy group,a disubstituent-having amino group, or a hyrocarbylthio group; R¹¹ andR¹² are independently of each other an aryl group having 7 to 20; R¹³and R¹⁴ are independently of each other a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom,an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, a substituent-havingsilyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxy group, an aryloxy group, adisubstituent-having amino group, or a hyrocarbylthio group; R¹⁵, R¹⁶,R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are independently of each other a hydrogen atom, a halogenatom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, a phenyl group or a phenyl grouphaving 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a substituent-having silyl group, an alkoxygroup, an aralkyloxy group, an aryloxy group, a disubstituent-havingamino group, or a hyrocarbylthio group; and R¹⁹ and R²⁰ areindependently of each other a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkylgroup, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, a substituent-having silylgroup, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxy group, an aryloxy group, adisubstituent-having amino group, or a hyrocarbylthio group.

R⁹ and R¹⁰ in the formula [II] are preferably an alkyl group, furtherpreferably an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularlypreferably a methyl group, an ethyl group, a n-propyl group, anisopropyl group, a n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, or a tert-butylgroup.

Examples of R¹¹ and R¹² in the formula [II] are a 2-methylphenyl group,a 3-methylphenyl group, a 4-methylphenyl group, a 2,3-dimethylphenylgroup, a 2,4-dimethylphenyl group, a 2,5-dimethylphenyl group, a2,6-dimethylphenyl group, a 3,4-dimethylphenyl group, a3,5-dimethylphenyl group, a 3,6-dimethylphenyl group, a naphthyl group,a 2-methyl-1-naphthyl group, a 3-methyl-1-naphthyl group, a4-methyl-1-naphthyl group, a 2,3-dimethyl-1-naphthyl group, a2,4-dimethyl-1-naphthyl group, a 2,5-dimethyl-1-naphthyl group, a2,6-dimethyl-1-naphthyl group, a 3,4-dimethyl-1-naphthyl group, a3,5-dimethyl-1-naphthyl group, a 3,6-dimethyl-1-naphthyl group, ananthracenyl group, a 2-methyl-1-anthracenyl group, a3-methyl-10-anthracenyl group, a 4-methyl-10-anthracenyl group, a2,3-dimethyl-10-anthracenyl group, a 2,4-dimethyl-10-anthracenyl group,a 2,5-dimethyl-10-anthracenyl group, a 2,6-dimethyl-10-anthracenylgroup, a 3,4-dimethyl-10-anthracenyl group, a3,5-dimethyl-10-anthracenyl group, a 3,6-dimethyl-10-anthracenyl group,and 2-methyl-10-anthracenyl group. Among them, preferred is asubstituent-having phenyl group, a naphthyl group or an anthracenylgroup, and further preferred is a 2-methylphenyl group or a naphthylgroup.

R¹³ and R¹⁴ in the formula [II] are preferably a hydrogen atom or analkyl group, more preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1to 12 carbon atoms, and further preferably a methyl group, an ethylgroup, a n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group, or anisobutyl group.

M in the formula [II] is a transition metal atom belonging to group 10of the periodic table, and M is preferably a nickel atom or a palladiumatom, and further preferably a palladium atom.

R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ in the formula [III] are preferably a hydrogenatom, an alkyl group or an aryl group, more preferably a hydrogen atom,an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to20 carbon atoms, and further preferably a hydrogen atom, a methyl group,an ethyl group, a n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group,an isobutyl group, a tert-butyl group, or a phenyl group.

R¹⁹ and R²⁰ in the formula [III] are preferably a hydrogen atom, analkyl group or an aryl group, more preferably a hydrogen atom, an alkylgroup having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 20carbon atoms, and further preferably a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, anethyl group, a n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group, anisobutyl group, a tert-butyl group, or a phenyl group.

An organoaluminum compound in the present invention may be a compoundknown in the art. Examples of the organoaluminum compound are thefollowing compounds (1) to (3), and a combination of two or morethereof:

(1) an organoaluminum compound represented by the formula, E¹_(d)AlZ_(3-d);

(2) a cyclic alumoxane represented by the formula, {—Al(E²)-O—}_(c); and

(3) a linear alumoxane represented by the formula,

E³{—Al(E³)-O—}_(f)AlE³ ₂,

wherein E¹, E² and E³ are independently of one another a hydrocarbylgroup; when plural E¹s, E²s or E³s exist, they are the same as, ordifferent from one another; Z is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; whenplural Zs exist, they are the same as, or different from one another; dis a number satisfying 0<d≦3; e is an integer of 2 or more, andpreferably an integer of 2 to 40; and f is an integer of 1 or more, andpreferably an integer of 1 to 40.

The hydrocarbyl group of E¹, E² and E³ is preferably a hydrocarbyl grouphaving 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and more preferably an alkyl group having 1to 8 carbon atoms.

Examples of the above-mentioned organoaluminum compound (I) are atrialkylaluminum such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum,tripropylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, and trihexylaluminum; adialkylaluminum chloride such as dimethylaluminum chloride,diethylaluminum chloride, dipropylaluminum chloride, diisobutylaluminumchloride and dihexylaluminum chloride; an alkylaluminum dichloride suchas methylaluminum dichloride, ethylaluminum dichloride, propylaluminumdichloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride and hexylaluminum dichloride;and a dialkylaluminum hydride such as dimethylaluminum hydride,diethylaluminum hydride, dipropylaluminum hydride, diisobutylaluminumhydride and dihexylaluminum hydride. Among them, preferred is atrialkylaluminum, and more preferred is triethylaluminum ortriisobutylaluminum.

An example of E² and E³ in the above-mentioned formulas is an alkylgroup such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a n-propyl group, anisopropyl group, a n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a n-pentyl group,and a neopentyl group. Among them, preferred is a methyl group or anisobutyl group.

The above-mentioned cyclic and linear alumoxane can be producedaccording to various processes. Those processes are not particularlylimited, and may be those known in the art. Examples of the process are(i) a process comprising the step of contacting a solution of atrialkylaluminum such as trimethylaluminum in a suitable organic solventsuch as benzene and an aliphatic hydrocarbon with water, and (ii) aprocess comprising the step of contacting a trialkylaluminum such astrimethylaluminum with a crystal water-containing metal salt such ascopper sulfate hydrate.

A boron compound in the present invention may be a compound known in theart. Examples of the boron compound are the following compounds (1) to(3), and a combination of two or more thereof:

(1) a boron compound represented by the formula, BQ¹Q²Q³;

(2) a boron compound represented by the formula, G⁺(BQ¹Q²Q³Q⁴)⁻; and

(3) a boron compound represented by the formula, (J—H)⁺(BQ¹Q²Q³Q⁴)⁻;

wherein B is a trivalent boron atom; Q¹, Q², Q³ and Q⁴ are independentlyof one another a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, a halogenatedhydrocarbyl group, a substituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, ora disubstituent-having amino group; G⁺ is an inorganic or organiccation; J is a neutral Lewis base; and (J—H)⁺ is a Broensted acid.

Q¹, Q², Q³ and Q⁴ in the above-mentioned three formulas are preferably ahalogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, ahalogenated hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, asubstituent-having silyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkoxygroup having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or a C₂₋₂₀ hydrocarbyl group-havingamino group; more preferably a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group having1 to 20 carbon atoms, or a halogenated hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20carbon atoms; further preferably a fluorinated C₁₋₂₀ hydrocarbyl grouphaving at least one fluorine atom; and particularly preferably afluorinated C₆₋₂₀ aryl group having at least one fluorine atom.

Examples of the boron compound represented by the above-mentioned firstformula, BQ¹Q²Q³, are tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane,tris(2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borane,tris(2,3,4,5-tetrafluorophenyl)borane,tris(3,4,5-trifluorophenyl)borane, tris(2,3,4-trifluorophenyl)borane,and phenylbis(pentafluorophenyl) borane. Among them, most preferred istris(pentafluorophenyl)borane.

Examples of an inorganic cation, G⁺, of the boron compound representedby the above-mentioned second formula, G⁺(BQ¹Q²Q³Q⁴)⁻ are a ferroceniumcation, an alkyl group-having ferrocenium cation, and a silver cation.An example of an organic cation, G⁺, of the boron compound representedthereby is a triphenylmethyl cation. Among them, G⁺ is preferably acarbenium cation, and particularly preferably a triphenylmethyl cation.

Examples of (BQ¹Q²Q³Q⁴)⁻ in the above-mentioned second formula,G⁺(BQ¹Q²Q³Q⁴)⁻, are tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate,tetrakis(2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate,tetrakis(2,3,4,5-tetrafluorophenyl)borate,tetrakis(3,4,5-trifluorophenyl)borate,tetrakis(2,3,4-trifluorophenyl)borate,phenyltris(pentafluorophenyl)borate, andtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate.

Examples of the boron compound represented by the above-mentioned secondformula, G⁺(BQ¹Q²Q³Q⁴)⁻ are lithiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate, sodiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate, potassiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate, silvertetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, ferroceniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, 1,1′-dimethylferroceniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tetrabutylphosphponiumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tetraphenylphosphponiumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tetramethylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, trimethylsulphonuimtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, diphenyliodoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylcarbeniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, and triphenylcarbeniumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate. Among them, most preferredis triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate.

Examples of (J—H)⁺ in the above-mentioned third formula,(J—H)⁺(BQ¹Q²Q³Q⁴)⁻, are a trialkylammonium, an N,N-dialkylanilinium, adialkylammonium, and a triarylphosphonium. Examples of the (BQ¹Q²Q³Q⁴)⁻therein are the same as those mentioned above.

Examples of the boron compound represented by the above-mentioned thirdformula, (J-H)⁺ (BQ¹Q²Q³Q⁴)⁻, are triethylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tripropylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammoniumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylaniliniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-diethylaniliniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethyl-2,4,6-trimethylaniliniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylaniliniumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate, diisopropylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, dicyclohexylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylphosphoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(methylphenyl)phosphoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, and tri(dimethylphenyl)phosphoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate. Among them, most preferred istri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, orN,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate.

The boron compound is preferably the compound represented by theabove-mentioned second or third formula, and particularly preferablytriphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate,tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, orN,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate.

An amount of the unit represented by the formula (1) contained in thecopolymer of the present invention, for example, an amount of theisopropylidene diallylmalonate unit (represented by the formula (1))contained in a copolymer of isopropylidene diallylmalonate (compoundrepresented by the formula (3)) with ethylene is measured according to a¹H-NMR method comprising the steps of:

(1) preparing a solution of a copolymer in chloroform-d₁ having aconcentration of preferably 4 mg/mL to 2 g/mL;

(2) measuring a ¹H-NMR spectrum of the solution;

(3) obtaining a peak area (A₁) existing in a range of 0.8 to 1.4 ppmbased on an ethylene unit (4H) and two methyl groups (6H) derived fromR¹ and R² contained in the unit represented by the formula (1);

(4) obtaining a peak area (A₂) existing in a range of 2.3 to 2.6 ppmbased on two methylene groups (4H) of the cyclopentane ring contained inthe unit represented by the formula (1), said two methylene groups beingone methylene group linked to A⁵ (hydrogen atom) and A⁶ (hydrogen atom)and another methylene group linked to A⁷ (hydrogen atom) and A⁸(hydrogen atom); and

(5) calculating an amount of the unit represented by the formula (1)from the following formula,

Amount (% by mol) of the unit represented by the formula (1)=100×(A₂)/4÷[(A ₂)/4+{(A ₁)−(A ₂)6/4}/4]

wherein the total amount of the unit represented by the formula (1) andthe ethylene unit is 100% by mol.

An amount of the unit represented by the formula (1) contained in thecopolymer of the present invention is not particularly limited. Saidamount is generally larger than 0% by mol and smaller than 100% by mol,preferably 10% by mol or larger and smaller than 100% by mol, and morepreferably 20% by mol or larger and smaller than 100% by mol, in orderto produce a heat resistant copolymer.

A molecular weight of the homopolymer of the present invention is notparticularly limited. Its weight-average molecular weight (Mw) ispreferably 1,000 to 10,000,000, more preferably 2,000 to 5,000,000, andmost preferably 4,000 to 3,000,000.

A molecular weight distribution of the homopolymer of the presentinvention is not particularly limited. It is preferably 1.0 to 100, morepreferably 1.0 to 50, and most preferably 1.0 to 20.

A glass-transition temperature (indicator of heat resistance) of thehomopolymer in the present invention is preferably 60° C. or higher,more preferably 70° C. or higher, and most preferably 80° C. or higher.

A molecular weight of the copolymer of the present invention is notparticularly limited. Its weight-average molecular weight (Mw) ispreferably 1,000 to 10,000,000, more preferably 2,000 to 5,000,000, andmost preferably 4,000 to 3,000,000.

A molecular weight distribution of the copolymer of the presentinvention is not particularly limited. It is preferably 1.0 to 100,further preferably 1.0 to 50, and most preferably 1.0 to 20.

A glass-transition temperature (indicator of heat resistance) of thecopolymer in the present invention is preferably 60° C. or higher, morepreferably 70° C. or higher, and most preferably 80° C. or higher.

The copolymer of the present invention is soluble in an aromatic solventsuch as toluene and xylene, or in a hydrogenated solvent such aschloroform and methylene chloride.

A method for contacting (i) the transition metal compound, (ii) theorganoaluminum compound and/or boron compound, and (iii) one or morekinds of monomers, with one another, is not particularly limited.

When forming a polymerization catalyst by contacting the transitionmetal compound with the organoaluminum compound, the organoaluminumcompound is preferably the above-mentioned cyclic alumoxane, linearalumoxane, or a combination thereof, in order to produce a highactivity-having polymerization catalyst. When forming a polymerizationcatalyst by contacting the transition metal compound, the organoaluminumcompound and the boron compound with one another, the organoaluminumcompound is preferably the organoaluminum compound represented by theabove-mentioned first formula, E¹ _(d)AlZ_(3-d), in order to produce ahigh activity-having polymerization catalyst.

The organoaluminum compound is used in amount of generally 0.1 to 10,000parts by mol, and preferably 5 to 2,000 parts by mol, per one mol of thetransition metal compound. Said amount of smaller than 0.1 part by molmay result in an insufficient activity of a polymerization catalyst.Said amount of larger than 10,000 parts by mol may result in productionof a too low molecular weight-having polymer, because of, for example,chain transfer to the organoaluminum compound, or may result in a toolow activity of a polymerization catalyst. The boron compound is used inamount of generally 0.01 to 100 parts by mol, and preferably 0.5 to 10parts by mol, per one mol of the transition metal compound. Said amountof smaller than 0.01 part by mol may result in an insufficient activityof a polymerization catalyst. Said amount of larger than 100 parts bymol is not preferable from an economical point of view.

Each of the transition metal compound, the organoaluminum compound, andthe boron compound may be used as a solution thereof. Examples of asolvent for the solution are methylene chloride, chloroform, toluene,pentane, hexane, and heptane. Among them, preferred is methylenechloride, chloroform, or toluene.

A solution of the transition metal compound has a concentration ofgenerally 0.01 to 500 μmol/L, preferably 0.05 to 100 μmol/L, and morepreferably 0.05 to 50 μmol/L. A solution of the organoaluminum compoundhas a concentration of generally 0.01 to 10,000 μmol/L, preferably 0.1to 5,000 μmol/L, and more preferably 0.1 to 2,000, in terms of an amountof an aluminum atom contained in said solution. A solution of the boroncompound has a concentration of generally 0.01 to 500 μmol/L, preferably0.05 to 200 μmol/L, and more preferably 0.05 to 100 μmol/L. When thesolution of the transition metal compound has a concentration of lowerthan 0.01 μmol/L, when the solution of the organoaluminum compound has aconcentration of lower than 0.01 μmol/L in terms of an amount of analuminum atom contained in said solution, or when the solution of theboron compound has a concentration of lower than 0.01 μmol/L, a largeamount of a solvent is necessary to prepare said solution, which is notpreferable from an economical point of view. When the solution of thetransition metal compound has a concentration of higher than 500 μmol/L,when the solution of the organoaluminum compound has a concentration ofhigher than 10,000 μmol/L in terms of an amount of an aluminum atomcontained in said solution, or when the solution of the boron compoundhas a concentration of higher than 500 μmol/L, the transition metalcompound, the organoaluminum compound, or the boron compound may not besufficiently dissolved in a solvent, and therefore, said compound may bedeposited in the solution.

A polymerization catalyst in the present invention may be combined witha carrier or a support comprising a particle of an inorganic or organiccompound. Examples of the inorganic compound are silica gel and alumina,and an example of the organic compound is a styrene unit-containingpolymer.

A polymerization method is not particularly limited in the presentinvention. Examples thereof are a gas-phase polymerization method, abulk polymerization method, a solution polymerization method using asuitable polymerization solvent, and a suspension polymerization methodusing the same, which are a batch-wise polymerization method or acontinuous polymerization method. Said polymerization solvent is asolvent non-deactivating a polymerization catalyst. Examples of thesolvent are a hydrocarbon solvent such as benzene, toluene, pentane,hexane, heptane, and cyclohexane; and a halogenated solvent such asdichloromethane and chloroform.

A polymerization temperature is not particularly limited in the presentinvention, and generally −100 to 250° C., and preferably −50 to 200° C.The polymerization temperature of lower than −100° C. may result in aninsufficient activity of a polymerization catalyst. The polymerizationtemperature of higher than 250° C. may result in production of a too lowmolecular weight-having polymer, or may result in non-production of apolymer containing the repeated unit represented by the formula (1) dueto occurrence of a side reaction such as an isomerization reaction.

There may be used a chain transfer agent such as hydrogen in order toregulate a molecular weight of a polymer produced.

A polymerization time is not particularly limited in the presentinvention, and generally one minute to 72 hours. The polymerization timeof shorter than one minute may result in an insufficient yield of apolymer produced. The polymerization time of longer than 72 hours isdisadvantageous from an economical point of view.

The polymer of the present invention may be combined with variousadditives such as weatherability stabilizers, lubricants, pigments,dyes, antistatic agents, antioxidants, antifogging agents,rust-inhibiting agents, surfactants, and electroconductive agents. Thepolymer of the present invention may also be combined with a polymerknown in the art such as a low-density polyethylene, a high-densitypolyethylene, a linear low-density polyethylene, an ethylene-α-olefincopolymer elastomer, and polypropylene.

The present invention is explained with reference to the followingExamples, which do not limit the scope of the present invention. Thefollowing Examples 1 to 10 relate to the homopolymer of the presentinvention, and Example 11 to Comparative Example 2 relate to thecopolymer of the present invention.

Example 1 (1) Production of Monomer

There was added 0.33 mL of P(OC₆H₅)₃ in an atmosphere of a nitrogen gasto a 25 mL-Schlenk tube containing 0.0065 g of PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ and 0.95 mLof methylene chloride. The resultant mixture was stirred for 15 minutesat a room temperature, and then, 0.07 mL of triethylamine and 4.54 μL ofwater were added thereto, and the resultant mixture was further stirredfor 20 minutes at a room temperature. There was added 5 mL of waterthereto, and the resultant mixture was further stirred for 5 minutes ata room temperature. Then, the upper water-layer thereof was removed witha cannula. Volatile matters contained in another organic-layer thereofwere distilled away, and the resultant residue was washed with acetone,thereby obtaining Pd[P(OC₆H₅)₃]₄. The above-mentioned procedures werecarried out according to the method described in Kayaki, Y., Koda, T.,Ikariya, T.: J. Org. Chem., 2004, Vol. 69, page 2595.

There were supplied to a 50 mL-round bottom flask 7.69 g of MOLECULARSIEVES 3A, 35 mL of toluene, 49.7 mg of the above-produced Pd(OC₆H₅)₃,5.04 g of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione, and 4.9 ml of allylalcohol, and the resultant mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 80° C. inan atmosphere of a nitrogen gas. The reaction mixture was filtered, andtoluene contained in the filtrate was distilled away. The resultantresidue was purified according to a column chromatography having astationary phase of silica gel and a mobile phase of a mixed solventconsisting of 8 parts by weight of hexane and 1 part by weight of ethylacetate, thereby obtaining 6.22 g of clear and oily isopropylidenediallylmalonate (monomer).

(2) Polymerization of Monomer

There was added 0.5 mL of methylene chloride to a 25 mL-Schlenk tubecontaining 6.57 mg ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-diisopropylaniline-κN)]palladium(transition metal compound) and 10.6 mg of sodiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate (boron compound), and theresultant mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at a room temperature.Then, there was added thereto 0.156 g of the above-producedisopropylidene diallylmalonate (monomer), and the resultant mixture wasstirred for 48 hours at a room temperature to polymerize the monomer.

The obtained homopolymer had a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of8,200; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.6; 100% of atrans-form in view of its configuration between the main chain and thefive-membered ring; 67% of a threodisyndiotactic triad; and noglass-transition temperature in a range between −60° C. to 150° C.Results are shown in Table 1.

The above-mentioned number-average molecular weight (Mn) and molecularweight distribution (Mw/Mn) were measured under the following conditionsaccording to a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using an equipmentmanufactured by JASCO Corporation having a degasser (DG-980-50), a pump(PU-980), an auto-sampler (AS-950), a column oven (CO-966), an RIdetector (RI-930) and a UV detector (UV-975), with a calibration curveprepared using standard polystyrenes:

-   -   two columns, SHODEX-806L, manufactured by Showa Denko K.K.;    -   measurement temperature of 40° C.;    -   solvent of chloroform; and    -   sample concentration of 1 mg-sample/mL-solution.

The above-mentioned glass-transition temperature was measured accordingto a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) using an equipment,SSC-5200, manufactured by Seiko Instruments & Electronics Ltd. under thefollowing conditions:

-   -   heating from 25° C. to 135° C. at a rate of 10° C./minute, and        keeping at 135° C. for 5 minutes; then,    -   cooling from 135° C. to −60° C. at a rate of 20° C./minute, and        keeping at −60° C. for 5 minutes; and then,    -   measuring under heating from −60° C. to 150° C. at a rate of 10°        C./minute.

The above-mentioned proportion of the trans-form was measured under thefollowing conditions according to a ¹³C-NMR method using an equipment,LA-500, manufactured by JEOL LTD:

-   -   measurement solvent of chloroform-d₁;    -   measurement temperature of room temperature;    -   sample concentration of 50 mg-sample/0.5 mL-solution; and    -   reference material of chloroform-d₁ (77 ppm).

The above-mentioned stereoregularity was measured using an equipment,LA-500, manufactured by JEOL LTD according to a ¹³C-NMR methodcomprising the steps of:

(1) preparing a solution of a polymer in chloroform-d₁ having aconcentration of preferably 286 mg/mL;

(2) measuring a ¹³C-NMR spectrum of the solution;

(3) obtaining a peak area (A₁) existing in a range of 46.2 to 46.6 ppmin the spectrum, and a peak area (A₂) existing in a range of 46.9 to47.3 ppm therein, respectively, provided that a peak assigned tochloroform-d₁ appears at 77 ppm; and

(4) calculating the stereoregularity based on the following formulas,

threodiisotactic triad (%)=100A ₁/(A ₃ +A ₂)

threodisyndiotactic triad (%)=100A ₂/(A ₁ +A ₂).

Example 2

There was added 0.5 mL of methylene chloride to a 25 mL-Schlenk tubecontaining 5.89 mg ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,4,6-trimethylaniline-κN)]palladium(transition metal compound) and 10.6 mg of sodiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate (boron compound), and theresultant mixture was stirred for 5 minutes at a room temperature. Then,there was added thereto 0.156 g of isopropylidene diallylmalonate(monomer), and the resultant mixture was stirred for 24 hours at a roomtemperature to polymerize the monomer.

The obtained homopolymer had a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of9,200; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.8; 100% of atrans-form in view of its configuration between the main chain and thefive-membered ring; no stereoregularity; and no glass-transitiontemperature in a range between −60° C. to 150° C. Results are shown inTable 1.

Example 3

There was added 0.5 mL of methylene chloride to a 25 mL-Schlenk tubecontaining 5.61 mg of chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2,6-diisopropylaniline-κN)]palladium (transition metal compound) and10.6 mg of sodium tetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate (boroncompound), and the resultant mixture was stirred for 20 minutes at aroom temperature. Then, there was added thereto 0.156 g ofisopropylidene diallylmalonate (monomer), and the resultant mixture wasstirred for 36 hours at a room temperature to polymerize the monomer.

The obtained homopolymer had a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of6,500; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.6; 100% of atrans-form in view of its configuration between the main chain and thefive-membered ring; no stereoregularity; and no glass-transitiontemperature in a range between −60° C. to 150° C. Results are shown inTable 1.

Example 4

There was added 0.5 mL of methylene chloride to a 25 mL-Schlenk tubecontaining 4.77 mg of chloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(2,4,6-trimethylaniline-κN)]palladium (transition metal compound) and10.6 mg of sodium tetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate (boroncompound), and the resultant mixture was stirred for 20 minutes at aroom temperature. Then, there was added thereto 0.156 g ofisopropylidene diallylmalonate (monomer), and the resultant mixture wasstirred for 24 hours at a room temperature to polymerize the monomer.

The obtained homopolymer had a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of9,800; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.6; 100% of atrans-form in view of its configuration between the main chain and thefive-membered ring; 65% of a threodisyndiotactic triad; and noglass-transition temperature in a range between −60° C. to 150° C.Results are shown in Table 1.

Example 5

There was added 0.5 mL of methylene chloride to a 25 mL-Schlenk tubecontaining 6.60 mg ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,4,6-trimethylaniline-κN)]palladium(transition metal compound) and 10.6 mg of sodiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate (boron compound), and theresultant mixture was stirred for 20 minutes at a room temperature.Then, methylene chloride was distilled away from the mixture, and 0.5 mLof toluene and 0.156 g of isopropylidene diallylmalonate (monomer) wereadded thereto. The resultant mixture was stirred for 48 hours at a roomtemperature to polymerize the monomer.

The obtained homopolymer had a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of6,000; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.6; 100% of atrans-form in view of its configuration between the main chain and thefive-membered ring; no stereoregularity; and no glass-transitiontemperature in a range between −60° C. to 150° C. Results are shown inTable 1.

Example 6

There was added 0.5 mL of methylene chloride to a 25 mL-Schlenk tubecontaining 6.60 mg ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,4,6-trimethylaniline-κN)]palladium(transition metal compound) and 10.6 mg of sodiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate (boron compound), and theresultant mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at a room temperature.Then, methylene chloride was distilled away from the mixture, and 0.445g of isopropylidene diallylmalonate (monomer) were added thereto. Theresultant mixture was stirred for 24 hours at a room temperature topolymerize the monomer.

The obtained homopolymer had a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of18,400; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.4; 100% of atrans-form in view of its configuration between the main chain and thefive-membered ring; no stereoregularity; and no glass-transitiontemperature in a range between −60° C. to 15° C. Results are shown inTable 1.

Example 7

There was added 0.5 mL of methylene chloride to a 25 mL-Schlenk tubecontaining 6.17 mg ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-diisopropylaniline-κN)]palladium(transition metal compound) and 10.6 mg of sodiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate (boron compound), and theresultant mixture was stirred for 20 minutes at a room temperature.Then, 0.156 g of isopropylidene diallylmalonate (monomer) was addedthereto, and the resultant mixture was stirred for 24 hours at a roomtemperature to polymerize the monomer.

The obtained homopolymer had a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of9,000; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.6; 100% of atrans-form in view of its configuration between the main chain and thefive-membered ring; 64% of a threodisyndiotactic triad; and noglass-transition temperature in a range between −60° C. to 15° C.Results are shown in Table 1.

Example 8

There was added 0.5 mL of methylene chloride to a 25 mL-Schlenk tubecontaining 7.52 mg ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-isopropyl-6-phenylaniline-κN)]palladium(transition metal compound) and 10.6 mg of sodiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate (boron compound), and theresultant mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at a room temperature.Then, 0.156 g of isopropylidene diallylmalonate (monomer) was addedthereto, and the resultant mixture was stirred for 36 hours at a roomtemperature to polymerize the monomer.

The obtained homopolymer had a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of6,300; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.7; 100% of atrans-form in view of its configuration between the main chain and thefive-membered ring; 68% of a threodisyndiotactic triad; and noglass-transition temperature in a range between −60° C. to 150° C.Results are shown in Table 1.

Example 9

There was added 0.25 mL of methylene chloride to a 25 mL-Schlenk tubecontaining 7.25 mg ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methylphenyl)aniline-κN)]palladium(transition metal compound) and 10.6 mg of sodiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate (boron compound), and theresultant mixture was stirred for 5 minutes at a room temperature. Then,0.156 g of isopropylidene diallylmalonate (monomer) was added thereto,and the resultant mixture was stirred for 29 hours at a room temperatureto polymerize the monomer.

The obtained homopolymer had a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of8,400; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.8; 100% of atrans-form in view of its configuration between the main chain and thefive-membered ring; 66% of a threodiisotactic triad; and noglass-transition temperature in a range between −60° C. to 150° C.Results are shown in Table 1.

Example 10

There was added 0.25 mL of methylene chloride to a 25 mL-Schlenk tubecontaining 7.97 mg ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,4-dimethyl-6-(1-naphthyl)aniline-κN)]palladium(transition metal compound) and 10.6 mg of sodiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate (boron compound), and theresultant mixture was stirred for 5 minutes at a room temperature. Then,0.156 g of isopropylidene diallylmalonate (monomer) was added thereto,and the resultant mixture was stirred for 24 hours at a room temperatureto polymerize the monomer.

The obtained homopolymer had a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of4,400; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.7; 100% of atrans-form in view of its configuration between the main chain and thefive-membered ring; 83% of a threodiisotactic triad; and noglass-transition temperature in a range between −60° C. to 150° C.Results are shown in Table 1.

Example 11

There was supplied 0.314 g (1.4 mmol) of isopropylidene diallylmalonate(monomer) to a 50 mL-volume round bottom flask equipped with a three-waycock. Said monomer was freeze-degassed, and then, said flask was filledwith a mixed gas consisting of 25% by mol of ethylene gas and 75% by molof argon gas.

On the other hand, there was added 0.75 mL of methylene chloride to a 25mL-Schlenk tube containing 9.86 mg (0.015 mmol) ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-diisopropylaniline-κN)]palladium(transition metal compound) and 15.9 mg (0.018 mmol) of sodiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate (boron compound), and theresultant mixture was stirred for 5 minutes at a room temperature,thereby preparing a solution of a cationic palladium in methylenechloride.

There was added 0.5 mL (containing 0.01 mmol of the palladium complex)of the above-prepared solution of a cationic palladium in methylenechloride with a syringe to the above-prepared round bottom flask. Aballoon containing a mixed gas consisting of 25% by mol of ethylene gasand 75% by mol of argon gas was fixed to the three-way cock of the roundbottom flask, and the mixture contained in the round bottom flask wasstirred for 2 hours at a room temperature, under a total pressure of 0.1MPa and an ethylene-partial pressure of 0.025 MPa. The reaction mixturewas poured into about 50 mL of methanol to separate a copolymer, and0.07 g of a dried copolymer was obtained.

So obtained copolymer contained an isopropylidene diallylmalonate unitin an amount of 25% by mol, the total amount of all the monomer unitsbeing 100% by mol, and therefore, an ethylene unit in an amount of 75%by mol (100% by mol−25% by mol), and had a number-average molecularweight (Mn) of 8,000; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.2; asolid state at a room temperature; and no endothermic peak at 140° C. orlower in a differential thermal analysis (DTA). Results are shown inTable 2.

The above-mentioned heat resistance (DTA) was measured with athermogravimetry (TG)/differential thermal analysis (DTA) equipment,SSC-5200, manufactured by Seiko Instruments Inc. under heating from 25°C. to 500° C. at a rate of 10° C./minute.

The above-mentioned content of the isopropylidene diallylmalonate unitwas measured under the following conditions according to a ¹H-NMR methodusing an equipment, LA-500, manufactured by JEOL LTD:

-   -   measurement solvent of chloroform-d₁;    -   measurement temperature of room temperature;    -   sample concentration of 50 mg-sample/0.5 mL-solution; and    -   reference material of chloroform-d₁ (7.24 ppm).

Example 12

Example 11 was repeated except that the transition metal compound waschanged to 0.015 mmol ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,4,6-trimethylaniline-κN)]palladium.

There was obtained 0.105 g of a dried copolymer, which contained anisopropylidene diallylmalonate unit in an amount of 52% by mol, thetotal amount of all the monomer units being 100% by mol, and therefore,an ethylene unit in an amount of 48% by mol (100% by mol−52% by mol),and had a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of 8,500; a molecularweight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.3; a solid state at a room temperature;and no endothermic peak at 140° C. or lower in a differential thermalanalysis (DTA). Results are shown in Table 2.

Example 13

Example 11 was repeated except that the transition metal compound waschanged to 0.015 mmol ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2-methyl-6-isopropylaniline-κN)]palladium.

There was obtained 0.106 g of a dried copolymer, which contained anisopropylidene diallylmalonate unit in an amount of 39% by mol, thetotal amount of all the monomer units being 100% by mol, and therefore,an ethylene unit in an amount of 61% by mol (100% by mol−39% by mol),and had a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of 9,300; a molecularweight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.5; a solid state at a room temperature;and no endothermic peak at 140° C. or lower in a differential thermalanalysis (DTA). Results are shown in Table 2.

Example 14

Example 11 was repeated except that (i) the transition metal compoundwas changed to 0.015 mmol ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,4,6-trimethylaniline-κN)]palladium,(ii) the amount of isopropylidene diallylmalonate (monomer) was changedto 0.157 g, (iii) the ethylene-argon mixed gas was changed to anethylene gas, and (iv) the ethylene gas pressure was changed to 0.1 MPa.

There was obtained 0.087 g of a dried copolymer, which contained anisopropylidene diallylmalonate unit in an amount of 12% by mol, thetotal amount of all the monomer units being 100% by mol, and therefore,an ethylene unit in an amount of 88% by mol (100% by mol−12% by mol),and had a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of 6,100; a molecularweight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.5; a solid state at a room temperature;and no endothermic peak at 140° C. or lower in a differential thermalanalysis (DTA). Results are shown in Table 2.

Example 15

Example 11 was repeated except that (i) the transition metal compoundwas changed to 0.015 mmol ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(aniline-κN)]palladium,(ii) the amount of isopropylidene diallylmalonate (monomer) was changedto 0.157 g, (iii) the ethylene-argon mixed gas was changed to anethylene gas, and (iv) the ethylene gas pressure was changed to 0.1 MPa.

There was obtained 0.251 g of a dried copolymer, which contained anisopropylidene diallylmalonate unit in an amount of 7% by mol, the totalamount of all the monomer units being 100% by mol, and therefore, anethylene unit in an amount of 93% by mol (100% by mol−7% by mol), andhad a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of 52,000; a molecular weightdistribution (Mw/Mn) of 2.5; a solid state at a room temperature; and noendothermic peak at 140° C. or lower in a differential thermal analysis(DTA). Results are shown in Table 2.

Example 16

There were supplied 0.156 g (0.7 mmol) of isopropylidene diallylmalonate(monomer) and 58.9 mg (0.7 mmol) of 1-hexene to a 50 mL-volume roundbottom flask equipped with a three-way cock. Said monomers werefreeze-degassed, and then, said flask was filled with an argon gas.

On the other hand, there was added 0.5 mL of methylene chloride to a 25mL-Schlenk tube containing 6.6 mg (0.010 mmol) ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-diisopropylaniline-κN)]palladium(transition metal compound) and 13.2 mg (0.012 mmol) of sodiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate (boron compound), and theresultant mixture was stirred for 5 minutes at a room temperature,thereby preparing a solution of a cationic palladium in methylenechloride.

There was added 0.5 mL (containing 0.01 mmol of the palladium complex)of the above-prepared solution of a cationic palladium in methylenechloride with a syringe to the above-prepared round bottom flask, andthe mixture contained in the round bottom flask was stirred for 24 hoursat a room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into about 50 mLof methanol to separate a copolymer, and 0.188 g of a dried copolymerwas obtained.

So obtained copolymer contained an isopropylidene diallylmalonate unitin an amount of 45% by mol, the total amount of all the monomer unitsbeing 100% by mol, and therefore, a 1-hexene unit in an amount of 55% bymol (100% by mol−45% by mol), and had a number-average molecular weight(Mn) of 8,000; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 2.1; a solidstate at a room temperature; and no endothermic peak at 140° C. or lowerin a differential thermal analysis (DTA). Results are shown in Table 2.

Example 17

There were supplied 0.156 g (0.7 mmol) of isopropylidene diallylmalonate(monomer), 35 μL (0.25 mmol) of mesitylene (internal standard substance)and 0.87 μL (0.7 mmol) of 1-hexene to a 50 mL-volume round bottom flaskequipped with a three-way cock. Said mixture was freeze-degassed, andthen, said flask was filled with ethylene gas.

On the other hand, there was added 0.75 mL of methylene chloride to a 25mL-Schlenk tube containing 9.86 mg (0.015 mmol) ofchloro(methyl)[N,N′-(1,2-dihydroacenaphthylene-1,2-diylidene)bis(2,6-diisopropylaniline-κN)]palladium(transition metal compound) and 15.9 mg (0.018 mmol) of sodiumtetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate (boron compound), and theresultant mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at a room temperature,thereby preparing a solution of a cationic palladium in methylenechloride.

There was added 0.25 mL (containing 0.01 mmol of the palladium complex)of the above-prepared solution of a cationic palladium in methylenechloride with a syringe to the above-prepared round bottom flask. Aballoon containing an ethylene gas was fixed to the three-way cock ofthe round bottom flask, and the mixture contained in the round bottomflask was stirred for 3 hours at a room temperature under an ethylenepressure of 0.1 MPa. The reaction mixture was poured into about 50 mL ofmethanol to separate a copolymer, thereby obtaining 0.49 g of a driedcopolymer.

So obtained copolymer contained an isopropylidene diallylmalonate unitin an amount of 3.4% by mol, and 1-hexene unit in an amount of 6.1% bymol, the total amount of all the monomer units being 100% by mol, andtherefore, an ethylene unit in an amount of 90.5% by mol (100% bymol−3.4% by mol−6.1% by mol), and had a number-average molecular weight(Mn) of 21,000; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 2.4; and noendothermic peak at 149° C. or lower in a differential thermal analysis(DTA). Results are shown in Table 2.

Comparative Example 1

Example 14 was repeated except that isopropylidene diallylmalonate waschanged to 0.06 g (0.7 mmol) of methyl acrylate.

There was obtained 0.047 g of a dried copolymer, which contained amethyl acrylate unit in an amount of 7% by mol, the total amount of allthe monomer units being 100% by mol, and therefore, an ethylene unit inan amount of 93% by mol (100% by mol−7% by mol), and had anumber-average molecular weight (Mn) of 1,500; a molecular weightdistribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.6; an oily state at a room temperature.Results are shown in Table 2.

Comparative Example 2

Example 14 was repeated except that isopropylidene diallylmalonate waschanged to 0.12 g (1.4 mmol) of methyl acrylate, thereby obtaininglittle copolymer. Results are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 1 Configuration between main Example Mn Mw/Mn chain andfive-membered ring 1 8,200 1.6 Transform 2 9,200 1.8 Transform 3 6,5001.6 Transform 4 9,800 1.6 Transform 5 6,000 1.6 Transform 6 18,400 1.4Transform 7 9,000 1.6 Transform 8 6,300 1.7 Transform 9 8,400 1.8Transform 10 4,400 1.7 Transform Example StereoregularityGlass-transition temp. 1 Threodisyndiotactic triad: 67% not found 2 notfound not found 3 not found not found 4 Threodisyndiotactic triad: 65%not found 5 not found not found 6 not found not found 7Threodisyndiotactic triad: 64% not found 8 Threodisyndiotactic triad:68% not found 9 Threodiisotactic triad: 66% not found 10Threodiisotactic triad: 83% not found

TABLE 2 Example Content of monomer units (by mol) Mn 11 Isopropylidenediallylmalonate unit: 25% 8,000 Ethylene unit: 75% 12 Isopropylidenediallylmalonate unit: 52% 8,500 Ethylene unit: 48% 13 Isopropylidenediallylmalonate unit: 39% 9,300 Ethylene unit: 61% 14 Isopropylidenediallylmalonate unit: 12% 6,100 Ethylene unit: 88% 15 Isopropylidenediallylmalonate unit: 7% 52,000 Ethylene unit: 93% 16 Isopropylidenediallylmalonate unit: 45% 8,000 1-Hexene unit: 55% 17 Isopropylidenediallylmalonate unit: 3.4% 21,000 1-Hexene unit: 6.1% Ethylene unit:90.5% Comparative Methyl acrylate unit: 7% 1,500 Example 1 Ethyleneunit: 93% Comparative Little copolymer was obtained. Example 2 State ofExample Mw/Mn copolymer Endothermic peak in DTA 11 1.2 Solid no peak 121.3 Solid no peak 13 1.5 Solid no peak 14 1.5 Solid no peak 15 2.5 Solidno peak 16 2.1 Solid no peak 17 2.4 — no peak Comparative 1.6 Oily —Example 1 Comparative Little copolymer was obtained. Example 2

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The polymer of the present invention can be used as a molded articlesuch as an extrusion-molded article and an injection-molded article. Anextrusion-molding method may be a method known in the art. Examples ofthe extrusion-molding method are (1) an inflation-molding methodcomprising the steps of (1-1) extruding a molten polymer from a circulardie, thereby forming a film or sheet having a blown-up tube-like shape,and (1-2) winding the film or sheet, (2) a T-die molding methodcomprising the steps of (2-1) extruding a molten polymer from a lineardie, thereby forming a film or sheet, and (2-2) winding the film orsheet, and (3) a calender-molding method.

1. A homopolymer having a repeating unit represented by the followingformula (1):

wherein X¹, X², X³ and X⁴ are independently of one another an atombelonging to group 16 of the periodic table; R¹ and R² are independentlyof each other a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, and R¹ and R² may be linked with each other; and A¹, A²,A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷ A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are independently of one another ahydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an arylgroup, a substituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxygroup, an aryloxy group, a disubstituent-having amino group, or ahydrocarbylthio group.
 2. The homopolymer according to claim 1, whereinthe five-membered ring contained in the repeating unit has a trans-formfor its main chain represented by the formula (2):

wherein X¹, X², X³ and X⁴ are independently of one another an atombelonging to group 16 of the periodic table; R¹ and R² are independentlyof each other a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, and R¹ and R² may be linked with each other; and A¹, A²,A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are independently of one another ahydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an arylgroup, a substituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxygroup, an aryloxy group, a disubstituent-having amino-group, or ahydrocarbylthio group.
 3. The homopolymer according to claim 1, whereinthe homopolymer is a diisotactic homopolymer having more than 25% of athreodiisotactic triad.
 4. The homopolymer according to claim 1, whereinthe homopolymer is a diisotactic homopolymer having more than 25% of anerythrodiisotactic triad.
 5. The homopolymer according to claim 1,wherein the homopolymer is a disyndiotactic homopolymer having more than25% of a threodisyndiotactic triad.
 6. The homopolymer according toclaim 1, wherein the homopolymer is a disyndiotactic homopolymer havingmore than 25% of an erythrodisyndiotactic triad.
 7. A process forproducing a homopolymer having a repeating unit represented by thefollowing formula (1), which comprises the step of homopolymerizing acompound represented by the following formula (3):

wherein X¹, X², X³ and X⁴ are independently of one another an atombelonging to group 16 of the periodic table; R¹ and R² are independentlyof each other a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, and R¹ and R² may be linked with each other; and A¹, A²,A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are independently of one another ahydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an arylgroup, a substituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxygroup, an aryloxy group, a disubstituent-having amino group, or ahydrocarbylthio group.
 8. The process for producing a homopolymeraccording to claim 7, wherein the homopolymerization is carried out inthe presence of a polymerization catalyst formed by contacting atransition metal compound with an organic aluminum compound and/or boroncompound.
 9. The process for producing a homopolymer according to claim8, wherein the transition metal compound is a compound represented bythe following formula [I]:

wherein M is a transition metal atom belonging to group 10 of theperiodic table; R³ and R⁴ are independently of each other a hydrogenatom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, asubstituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxy group oran aryloxy group; R⁵ and R⁶ are independently of each other ahydrocarbyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; and R⁷ and R⁸ areindependently of each other a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl grouphaving 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and R⁷ and R⁸ may be linked with eachother.
 10. The process for producing a homopolymer according to claim 8,wherein the transition metal compound is a compound represented by thefollowing formula [II]:

wherein M is a transition metal atom belonging to group 10 of theperiodic table; R³ and R⁴ are independently of each other a hydrogenatom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, asubstituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxy group oran aryloxy group; R⁷ and R⁸ are independently of each other a hydrogenatom or a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and R⁷ and R⁸may be linked with each other; R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently of eachother a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group,a substituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxy group,a disubstituent-having amino group, or a hyrocarbylthio group; R¹¹ andR¹² are independently of each other an aryl group having 7 to 20; andR¹³ and R¹⁴ are independently of each other a hydrogen atom, a halogenatom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, asubstituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxy group, anaryloxy group, a disubstituent-having amino group, or a hyrocarbylthiogroup.
 11. The process for producing a homopolymer according to claim 8,wherein the transition metal compound is a compound represented by thefollowing formula [III]:

wherein M is a transition metal atom belonging to group 10 of theperiodic table; R³ and R⁴ are independently of each other a hydrogenatom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, asubstituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxy group oran aryloxy group; R⁷ and R⁸ are independently of each other a hydrogenatom or a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and R⁷ and R⁸may be linked with each other; R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are independentlyof each other a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, anaralkyl group, a phenyl group or a phenyl group having 1 to 5 halogenatoms, a substituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxygroup, an aryloxy group, a disubstituent-having amino group, or ahyrocarbylthio group; and R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are independently of each other ahydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an arylgroup, a substituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxygroup, an aryloxy group, a disubstituent-having amino group, or ahyrocarbylthio group.
 12. A copolymer containing a unit represented bythe following formula (1) and an ethylene unit and/or α-olefin unit:

wherein X¹, X², X³ and X⁴ are independently of one another an atombelonging to group 16 of the periodic table; R¹ and R² are independentlyof each other a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, and R¹ and R² may be linked with each other; and A¹, A²,A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are independently of one another ahydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an arylgroup, a substituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxygroup, an aryloxy group, a disubstituent-having amino group, or ahydrocarbylthio group.
 13. The copolymer according to claim 12, whereinthe five-membered ring contained in the repeating unit has a trans-formfor its main chain represented by the formula (2):

wherein X¹, X², X³ and X⁴ are independently of one another an atombelonging to group 16 of the periodic table; R¹ and R² are independentlyof each other a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, and R¹ and R² may be linked with each other; and A¹, A²,A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are independently of one another ahydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an arylgroup, a substituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxygroup, an aryloxy group, a disubstituent-having amino group, or ahydrocarbylthio group.
 14. A process for producing a copolymercontaining a unit represented by the following formula (1) and anethylene unit and/or an α-olefin unit, which comprises the step ofcopolymerizing at least a compound represented by the above-mentionedformula (3) and ethylene and/or an α-olefin:

wherein X¹, X², X³ and X⁴ are independently of one another an atombelonging to group 16 of the periodic table; R¹ and R² are independentlyof each other a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, and R¹ and R² may be linked with each other; and A¹, A²,A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, A⁸, A⁹ and A¹⁰ are independently of one another ahydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an arylgroup, a substituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxygroup, an aryloxy group, a disubstituent-having amino group, or ahydrocarbylthio group.
 15. The process for producing a copolymeraccording to claim 14, wherein the copolymerization is carried out inthe presence of a polymerization catalyst formed by contacting atransition metal compound with an organic aluminum compound and/or boroncompound.
 16. The process for producing a copolymer according to claim15, wherein the transition metal compound is a compound represented bythe following formula [I]:

wherein M is a transition metal atom belonging to group 10 of theperiodic table; R³ and R⁴ are independently of each other a hydrogenatom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, asubstituent-having silyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyloxy group oran aryloxy group; R⁵ and R⁶ are independently of each other ahydrocarbyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; and R⁷ and R⁸ areindependently of each other a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl grouphaving 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and R⁷ and R⁸ may be linked with eachother.